Report: US can start discussions to lift N Stream 2 sanctions

BERLIN, Feb 2 (PRIME) -- The U.S. has signaled its readiness to start discussions to lift sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 project for the first time, Handelsblatt reported on Tuesday citing a presidential administration source.

"There is progress in the deadlocked dispute about Nord Stream 2 -- the U.S. has for the first time signaled readiness to stop sanctions against the controversial Baltic pipeline from Russia to Germany. But the Americans expect that the German side will also make a proposal," the newspaper reported.

According to the source, Germany is ready to offer a package solution.

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 Uniper and Wintershall, Royal Dutch Shell, Austria’s OMV, and France’s Engie.

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