Report: US Senate panel backs N Stream 2 pipeline sanctions bill

WASHINGTON, Jul 31 (PRIME) -- A U.S. Senate committee has passed a bill to slap sanctions on companies and individuals involved in building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany that the Trump administration says would strengthen Moscow’s economic grip on Europe, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

“The bill reflects some lawmakers’ concerns over Russian influence in Europe, but would need to pass the full Senate and House of Representatives and be signed by President Donald Trump to become law,” it also said.

The Nord Stream-2 project envisages construction of two lines of a natural gas pipeline with an annual capacity of up to 55 billion cubic meters, running from the Russian shore to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Russian gas giant Gazprom is implementing the project together with Germany’s E.ON and BASF, Royal Dutch Shell, Austria’s OMV, and France’s Engie.

End