Ray McGovern asks: Is Nord Stream 2 Dead in the Water?

Does President Joe Biden consider himself King of Europe, with a kind of eminent (or is it “imminent”) domain over multi-billion-dollar projects like the German-Russian Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline? That’s sure what it sounded line yesterday at the joint press conference with visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Biden’s royal deportment was discussed yesterday on The Critical Hour, as well as the various visits of top European leaders in recent days; Macron to Moscow, as well as Scholz to Washington.

Never before has the subjunctive mood carried such alarming connotation. Everything depends, you see, on IF Russia Invades Ukraine. I have told my interviewers that, IF Russian troops outrace Godot into Kiev (See: Godot Likely To Arrive Before Russia Invades Ukraine), I will stand corrected. Today, when I referred back to my insistence for months that Putin is not stupid enough to invade Ukraine (See, for example, this), my radio hosts mercifully avoided asking whether I thought an invasion was “imminent.”

The ‘Botch From Hell’ on Nordstream 2

Some congress members have been saying for months that, IF the Russians invade Ukraine, “sanctions from hell” will be imposed on Russia. Biden’s misbegotten gaffe, however, might well be described as “the botch from hell”, since he asserted imminent – sorry, I mean eminent – domain over Nord Stream 2. Poor Chancellor Scholz was standing right there, no doubt wishing he could hide behind his podium until the next question. He did stay, of course, and in the process proved himself quite accomplished in evasiveness and circumlocution.

By pre-arrangement, Biden picked a Reuters reporter to ask the first question:

Q Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you, Chancellor Scholz. Mr. President, I have wanted to ask you about this Nord Stream project that you’ve long opposed. You didn’t mention it just now by name, nor did Chancellor Scholz. Did you receive assurances from Chancellor Scholz today that Germany will, in fact, pull the plug on this project if Russia invades Ukraine? And did you discuss what the definition of “invasion” could be? …

PRESIDENT BIDEN: The first question first. If Germany – if Russia invades – that means tanks or troops crossing the – the border of Ukraine again – then there will be – we – there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it.

Q But how will you – how will you do that exactly, since the project and control of the project is within Germany’s control?

PRESIDENT BIDEN: We will – I promise you, we’ll be able to do it.

(Transcript here)

The coming reaction in Germany to Biden’s gaffe d’etat will go a long way toward telling us whether, after 77 years in vassal status, the Germans now, in the pratfall-prone and highly dangerous current circumstances, will finally start acting as adults – quite able to deal with the Russians “all by themselves” (as maturing children tend to put it).

Don’t hold your breath.

This originally appeared at RayMcGovern.com.

Ray McGovern works with Tell the Word, a publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in inner-city Washington. His 27-year career as a CIA analyst includes serving as Chief of the Soviet Foreign Policy Branch and preparer/briefer of the President’s Daily Brief. He is co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS).

38 thoughts on “Ray McGovern asks: Is Nord Stream 2 Dead in the Water?”

  1. Biden knows Russia has “red lines” regarding Ukraine, like installing missiles for example, so Biden can do the dirty deed send more weapons to Ukraine and make Russia react and then blow up the pipeline. Then all of Europe will have a hell of a time stayiing warm because the world will be at war and the gas will be shut off. Where on the other hand if Biden turns his back on the Devil and stops threatening Russia with a never ending supply of weapons to Ukraine, the world will become a much more peaceful place. Historically Ukraine is part of Russia, where does Biden get off sticking his nose where it is not wanted, threatening the world with a horrible war.

  2. Alexander Mercouris’ analysis of this issue, which I referred to in an earlier thread, is far more comprehensive and important than Ray’s. Mercouris tells why the Germans are refusing to confirm that they will pull the plug on NS2, with or without a Russian “invasion.” And for the first time, Mercouris acknowledges the possibility of a Ukrainian provocation – even with US help. Even Gilbert Doctorow is now acknowledging the possibility in a recent article.

    Everyone needs to listen to this.

    Divisions on Anti-Russia Sanctions. Scholz US, Baerbock Kiev. Refuse to Commit Cancel Nord Stream2
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrKkwmoAIKo

  3. Ray, you and “The Oracle of London”, Alexander Mercouris are the only ones so far to have cracked the Code and produce the correct answer. Germany needs to stand on its own two feet and assert it’s Sovereignty.

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