The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany would not be possible without former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and his contacts, the author of a new book has claimed, according to a report.

The book by Danish journalist Jens Hovsgaard explores the involvement of former agents from the Soviet Union and communist East Germany in lobbying for the construction of the pipeline, Polish daily Gazeta Polska codziennie has reported.

Warsaw opposes the planned Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which aims to send Russian gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea, bypassing the Baltic states, Poland and Ukraine.

Schröder, who left the post of Germany’s chancellor in 2005, was later appointed the chairman of the board of directors of Nord Stream 2.

Hovsgaard was cited by Gazeta Polska codziennie as saying that it was not only Schröder’s contacts in Germany that proved invaluable.

'Access to social democrats'

Hovsgaard was quoted as saying that by putting Schröder on their payroll, the Russians gained access to many highly placed social democrats in Europe.

Hovsgaard was also cited by Gazeta Polska codziennie as saying that, by supporting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, the German government was keeping alive a corrupt “Putin kleptocracy.”

Polish President Andrzej Duda said in October that the construction of the pipeline despite a lack of approval from all EU members showed a lack of solidarity within the bloc.

Duda added that the pipeline would threaten the energy security of Central and Eastern Europe and would result in one supplier dominating the European Union market.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in May that Nord Stream 2 was “a new hybrid weapon” aimed at the European Union and NATO.

(pk)

Source: gpcodziennie.pl