Russia¡¯s Nord Stream 2 may need a few more months to clear remaining red tape before the controversial pipeline begins pumping natural gas to Germany to help ease Europe¡¯s energy crunch.
The Baltic Sea project ¡ª which has raised concerns over the Kremlin¡¯s control of energy supplies to the continent, including among Germany¡¯s Greens ¡ª is complete and awaiting certification from national and European Union authorities. Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to step up gas supply, and has said Nord Stream 2 can be activated ¡°the day after¡± regulatory sign-off.
However, the pipeline might not be approved until May if regulators use all the time they¡¯re allowed. Whether bureaucrats would be willing to accelerate the process if Europe¡¯s energy woes intensify remains to be seen.
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