Ukraine is key to unlocking Nord Stream 2
Europe’s desire for cheap, stable energy clashes with the political need to maintain cordial US relations and support Ukraine
Political consensus in Europe appears to be shifting on just how to soften the impact of Nord Stream 2 on Ukraine as a transit country, amid continued wrangling over the Russian pipeline. East European and Baltic states fear that the Gazprom project, which would double the existing Nord Stream pipeline's annual capacity of 55bn cubic meters, could increase Europe's reliance on Russian gas and make a serious dent in Ukraine's strained federal coffers. However, Western European powers like Germany and France argue that the additional pipeline is necessary because natural gas is as much as 25% cheaper than liquefied natural gas. The pipeline, which is due to be completed by the end of 2019 or
Also in this section
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations
28 April 2026
Restoring supply from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq involves complexities far beyond simply adjusting operational controls
28 April 2026
Datacentres will guzzle power at a ferocious rate, but the impact on wider energy markets will be far more complex than previously thought
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security
