In the conflict over the construction of the gas pipeline “Nord stream — 2” from Russia to Germany, the US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell increased pressure on German companies involved in this project. After Grenell threatened these firms with sanctions back in late December, he emailed a number of German companies threatening letters now, said the weekly Bild am Sonntag (BamS).

“We again emphasize that the firms involved in the Russian energy export sector are engaged in what is associated with a significant risk of sanctions. Ultimately, firms that support the construction of “Nord stream — 2” and the “Turkish stream”, actively undermine the security of Ukraine and Europe”, — BamS quotes Grenell’s message. The US Ambassador also said that the EU, implementing these projects, is dependent on Russia.

The construction of “Nord stream – 2”, which will directly link Russia and Germany, began long ago. However, the United States, Ukraine and a number of Eastern European countries are trying to stop the project, citing the threat posed by Russia. Ukraine and Eastern European countries are also afraid of losing the payment for the transit of Russian gas.

In Germany criticized Grenell

German foreign Ministry criticized the actions of Richard Grenell, pointing out that they are contrary to diplomatic customs.

For his part, the representative of Grenell said that the Ambassador’s letter should be seen not as a threat but as “a clear message to American politicians”.

The Bundestag deputies were also outraged by the attempt to pressure the US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell on the German companies involved in the construction of the gas pipeline “Nord stream — 2”. “This is an unacceptable unilateral aggravation of the tone in transatlantic relations,” said, in particular, the foreign expert of the faction of the Christian parties of the CDU/CSU Jürgen Hardt.

He called on the German government to protest against such actions of Grenell. At the same time, Hardt acknowledged that the issue of energy security of the EU and its partners “needs to be discussed, even regardless of the “Nord stream 2”. “But these debates will be conducted without external pressure,” the Deputy said.

Deputy Chairman of the Social democratic party of Germany (SPD) Ralph Stegner responded to reports about the actions of the US Ambassador in his profile on Twitter: “Is Mr. Grenell known that the time of the high commissioners (the highest representatives of the victorious countries in World War II in West Germany during the occupation) in Germany passed?»

In turn, the Deputy Chairman of the left party faction in the Bundestag Fabio De Mazi urged to call Richard Grenell in the German foreign Ministry. “The American Ambassador, obviously, it seemed that he is the Governor of the Emperor from Washington to Germany”, — the Deputy was indignant. In his view, “exterritorial sanctions” against German companies were contrary to international law.