US ex-president declares opposition to Nord Stream 2 amid accusations of ties with Russia

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has stated that he opposed the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

This comment comes in response to attempts by Democrats to accuse him of having ties with Russia, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"As you know, I destroyed Nord Stream 2. Some people like to say that I'm a friend of Russia, that I worked for Russia, that I'm a Russian spy. These people are sick. Russia's top priority was the construction of Nord Stream 2. It's the biggest gas pipeline in the world, running from Russia to Germany," he said in an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson.

The discussion was held in Glendale, Arizona, in front of an audience. 

Construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline began in 2018 but was halted after a year and a half. At the end of 2019, the Trump administration announced sanctions against companies involved in the construction of both the Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines. However, with the help of Russian vessels, both lines of the pipeline were completed by December 2021. 

Nevertheless, gas supplies never commenced due to delays in certification from Germany. In February 2022, following Russia's recognition of the sovereignty of the LPR and DPR, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that he had ordered the suspension of Nord Stream 2 certification. Ultimately, the pipeline was never put into operation.

By Naila Huseynova