Russia and Ukraine Conflict Explained: The gas-oil supply and the pipeline on which is stuck the eyes of the whole of Europe-Russia

Tensions have been brewing between Russia and Ukraine for the past two months. About one lakh 30 thousand soldiers of the Russian army are constantly engaged in maneuvers on the border with Ukraine. At the same time, 20 thousand soldiers have been deployed on the front from the Ukrainian side in the border cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. The US has even claimed that Russia can attack Ukraine by 16 February. However, in the meantime, US President Joe Biden has threatened Putin that he will shut down its Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Ukraine is attacked. Since Biden's announcement, there is a discussion about how America can stop the pipeline going from Russia to the European country Germany? And after all, how can a threat about Nord Stream 2 stop Russia's move?

What is America's threat regarding Nord Stream 2?

Because of the threat of attack on Ukraine, America and many countries of Europe have also deployed their troops on the Russian border. Apart from this, countries involved in the NATO alliance are also mobilizing arms and troops in Eastern Europe to stop Russia. However, these steps are seen as insufficient in preventing Russia from attacking Ukraine. In such a situation, the US President has stated the Nord Stream 2 pipeline going directly from Russia to Germany. Biden said Russia's key gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 would be blocked if Ukraine was attacked. He said that blocking this pipeline between Russia and Germany will not only harm Russia but will also increase the difficulties of Germany. The construction of this pipeline has been completed but not yet commissioned.

Learn what is the Nord Stream Pipeline Project?

1. Nord Stream is a 1200 km long pipeline. It runs from western Russia to northeast Germany through the Baltic Sea. Germany wants to double the supply of natural gas from Russia through this pipeline project.

2. The work of this pipeline, built at an expenditure of Rs 83 thousand crores, has been completed in September 2021. However, some important approvals are yet to be received, due to which the pipeline has not been inaugurated.

3. This pipeline will supply every 55 billion cubic meters of gas to Germany so that the supply of gas and petrol to 26 million homes in Germany will continue uninterrupted even in winter. The project is owned by the Russian state company Gazprom. Russia currently sends gas to Germany via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. It currently can supply 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually. The new pipeline will double this supply.

How important is this project for Russia?

1. If Russia starts supplying gas to Germany through this pipeline, then it will be seen as a big diplomatic move by Putin. Russia currently supplies more than 40 percent of Europe's total energy needs (oil and gas). In such a situation, its pipeline will make Germany, the richest country in Europe, completely dependent on itself. Despite this, Germany will be forced to face Russia for fear of sanctions.

2. The US, Ukraine, and Poland have been opposing Russia's pipeline project. Russia currently supplies most of its natural gas through Ukraine. While Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 do not pass through Ukraine. Due to this Russia would not have to give any kind of amount to Ukraine. At present, this project not only costs Ukraine $2 billion in transit fees but also has no plans to rein in Russia.

How will America stop the Russia-Germany pipeline?

The US may resort to economic sanctions to stop the work of the Nord Stream pipeline. For this, the Biden administration would only have to ban companies and individuals doing business related to the pipeline. Simply put, US sanctions could freeze accounts and transactions rights for companies and individuals involved in pipelines. This will make it difficult to proceed with the pipeline project.

How much will Russia suffer?

If there is any kind of ban on this project, then it is likely to hurt Russia's earnings. To save his economy, he will have to supply oil and gas by sea or road, in which he will suffer a lot of economic loss. Also, Ukraine will benefit greatly from this.

How much damage is likely to Europe?

If the Nord Stream project is stopped, then it threatens to deepen the gas crisis in Germany as well as in other European countries, because, in anger, Russia wants to bring European countries to their knees by stopping the rest of the oil and gas supplies to Europe. can try. Most of Europe's countries currently depend on Russia for imports of natural gas and oil.

How can America fulfill the plan to encircle Russia?

While countries such as Britain and Sweden are least dependent on Russia for natural gas supplies, countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union and countries in Eastern Europe are completely dependent on Russia for their energy needs. This dependence on him strengthens Vladimir Putin.

However, Russia's move to cut off gas-oil supplies to Europe after the ban on Nord Stream 2 could prove to be dangerous. To avoid this, the US has recently approached Qatar, which has tremendous gas and oil resources in the Arab world. With the help of Qatar, the US can get Russia's interrupted supplies back to Europe and can succeed in preventing Russia from attacking Ukraine.