Lankford Alarmed at Biden Administration’s Move to Waive Nord Stream 2 Sanctions

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement after the Biden Administration signaled it would not move forward with sanctions on those involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would transport natural gas from Russia to Germany and threaten the energy security of the US and our European allies:

“President Biden just made President Putin and the Kremlin very happy, which is another huge mistake. President Biden blocked the Keystone Pipeline from Canada but lifted sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline. A weak approach on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline expansion into Germany only helps Russia, when they have already demonstrated they’re an unreliable and retaliatory energy partner in Europe, especially with our ally Ukraine. We should continue President Trump’s tougher approach and impose the sanctions that Congress passed last December. Allowing the Russian pipeline to move forward unchecked will weaken Europe, weaken America’s energy future, and strengthen Putin and the Russian oligarchs.”

In April, Lankford participated in a Senate Finance Committee hearing on climate change, and he raised the issue and importance of energy diversity in the US, including our increased use and even exportation of natural gas to Europe, and the geopolitical significance of Russia’s ongoing push for energy leverage in Europe through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. In March, Lankford sent a letter to President Biden urging him to follow the law and impose these sanctions.

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