US warns firms about sanctions for work on TurkStream gas pipeline
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on July 15 that companies involved in construction of the TurkStream pipeline will be subject to the U.S. penalties unless they stop their works. “It’s a clear warning to companies. Aiding and abetting Russia’s malign influence projects will not be tolerated. Get out now or risk the consequences,” he said.
Duvar English / Reuters
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on July 15 announced the State Department is taking steps that could open to U.S. sanctions under a 2017 law investors in two pipeline projects that will carry natural gas from Russia to Turkey and Europe.
Speaking at a news conference, Pompeo said the department is updating public guidance for authorities under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act that could "put at risk" of U.S. sanctions investors in the Nord Stream II and a branch of the TurkStream pipelines under that law.
“This action puts investments or other activities that are related to these Russian energy export pipelines at risk of U.S. sanctions,” Pompeo told reporters.
“It’s a clear warning to companies. Aiding and abetting Russia’s malign influence projects will not be tolerated. Get out now or risk the consequences.”
Nord Stream 2, owned by Gazprom, is a system of offshore natural gas pipelines from Russia to Germany. It includes two lines running from Vyborg to Greifswald.
TurkStream, which is laid in the Black Sea, is a link between the gas transmission systems of Russia and Turkey. The gas pipeline has two strings. The first string will deliver gas to Turkey, while the second string is intended for gas transit to southern and southeastern Europe through Turkish territory. The U.S.'s July 15 sanctions threat applies to the second TurkStream line.