RUSSIA- UKRAINE ISSUE

RUSSIA- UKRAINE ISSUE

TOPIC: IR

Context- Russia has announced withdrawal of some troops from the Ukraine border, but US concerns remain around the Russia-to-Germany Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

Concept-

• Nord Stream 2 is an undersea Gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. It bypasses Ukraine thus deny its transit fee for Russia’s Gas exports
• Some EU members have security concerns regarding Russia’s presence in Baltic Sea.
• US fears that it could give Russia too much leverage in Europe and increase threat of Ukraine Invasion by Russia.

Nord Stream 2 Pipeline:

• This is a 1,200-km pipeline that runs from Ust-Luga in Russia to Greifswald in Germany through the Baltic Sea. It will carry 55 billion cubic metres of gas per year.
• It was decided to build this pipeline in 2015.
• Nord stream 1 system is already completed & functional since 2011 and together with NS2P, it will supply 110 billion cubic metre of gas a year to Germany.
• Russia’s economy is mainly dependent on exports of oil & gas and Europe is its largest buyer.