U.S. senators initiate new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 operator

Six U.S. senators have introduced an amendment to the country's FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act, which imposes sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG, the operator of the gas pipeline project.

That's according to the website of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Ukrinform reports.

The amendment was initiated by Republican Senators Jim Risch, Rob Portman, John Barrasso, Ron Johnson, Tom Cotton, and Ted Cruz.

Read also: U.S. should impose sanctions on NS2 operator until Russia stops manipulating gas flows - Vitrenko

"At a time when Russia is restricting energy in Europe, the Biden administration needs to follow the law by sanctioning Nord Stream 2. We know that protecting this Russian trap is not in our national security interest. Our amendment will rightfully restore bipartisan sanctions on Putin's geopolitical weapon," Barrasso said.

According to Portman, the Biden administration's decision to waive the congressionally mandated sanctions "has emboldened President Putin while hurting our ally Ukraine."

"At a time when Russian troops are once again surging to Ukrainian-Russian border – implementation of these sanctions are crucial to supporting European independence and energy security," Portman added.

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