FT: Merz initiated the inclusion of a ban on the operation of Nord Stream in the EU sanctions package

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is actively supporting a proposal to ban the resumption of the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the new EU sanctions package against Russia, the Financial Times reports, citing informed sources.

According to the newspaper's sources, Merz tried to suppress any internal debate about the merits of a potential recovery.

He initiated relevant discussions with European leaders back in the spring after reports that businessmen linked to Russia – including American ones – were considering restarting the pipelines.

Despite the fact that the Nord Stream pipelines are privately owned and were destroyed by explosions back in 2022, it is Germany that would have to give permission for any restart.

An EU-level ban, which Merz is lobbying for, would allow Berlin to avoid such responsibility and hints of a "second chance" for Russian gas, the publication's sources noted.

The sanctions are planned to cover the Swiss company Nord Stream 2 AG, the owner of the pipelines, as well as all companies that could participate in their restoration.

The European Commission plans to begin discussions on a new sanctions package in the coming days. The unanimous support of all member states will be required for the decision to be made.

"It is right that the Chancellor actively supports sanctions against Nord Stream 2," a German government spokesman said, adding: "One of the goals of our sanctions is to cut off Russia from revenues that could be used to finance its aggressive war against Ukraine in violation of international law. This includes revenues from fossil fuel exports."

• In early March 2025, the Bild newspaper reported that secret negotiations have been ongoing for several weeks between representatives of Russia and the United States regarding the purchase by American investors of the damaged Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea.
• The German government is considering measures to prevent the possible resumption of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
• On March 17, German Vice Chancellor Robert Gabeke said that negotiations between the US and Russia on the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline would be "absolutely the wrong direction."
• On March 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia is negotiating with the United States on the resumption of Nord Stream.
• On May 16, Merz announced that he would not grant permission for the operation of Nord Stream 2.