About Liz Truss and ending the EU´s strategic dependency on Russian hydrocarbons

About ending strategic dependencies of EU

Was the Nordstream #2 used as an energy weapon?

Angela Merkel said no, it was not.

Before the Ukrainian-Russian counflict started there was a political pressure 

from the UK, USA and several allies to close the Nordstream 2 if Russia enters Ukraine.

As a result the USA and Germany agreed on a deal for the Nordstream 2.
Both Germany and the USA agreed that Nordstream 2 will not be certified

if Russia enters Ukraine. Both countries kept the word.

But the UK wanted more and aimed to reduce ALL Russian energy exports to Europe.

Boris Johnson: Europe needs to snip the drip feed 
into our bloodstream from Nord Stream

29 July 2021 - Chairpersons of foreign affairs committees issue statement voicing concern over Nord Stream 2

We, the chairs of foreign affairs committees of our respective national parliaments, are deeply disturbed by the decision of the United States and Germany on Nord Stream 2, which entails resuming completion of works on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

We consider Nord Stream 2 a geopolitical project geared towards expanding Russia’s geostrategic influence on Europe by dominating the energy market.

14 Nov 2021 - We must stand together for freedom and democracy:
                        article by Liz Truss

I want our friends across Europe to join us. That means standing together for example in opposing the construction of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. It risks undermining European security by allowing Russia to tighten its grip on those nations who rely on its gas, despite the pandemic reminding us about the importance of having diverse supply chains to avoid being strategically dependent on unreliable partners.  

18 Nov 2021 - Nord Stream 2: Will you go to the Gazprom with me?

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that “a choice is shortly coming” for Europe, between consuming more Russian fossil fuels or “sticking up for Ukraine and championing the cause of peace and stability”. 

30 Nov 2021 - Liz Truss urges Nato allies to block Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

It remains to be seen how far the UK can push its opposition to Nord Stream 2 but the prime minister, Boris Johnson, raised the issue’s profile in a foreign policy speech at the Guildhall this month, saying: “We hope that our friends may recognise that a choice is shortly coming between mainlining ever more Russian hydrocarbons in giant new pipelines, and sticking up for Ukraine and championing the cause of peace and stability.” 

8 Dec 2021 - Liz Truss: Europe needs to end energy dependency on Russia, says UK foreign minister

British foreign minister Liz Truss said on Wednesday Europe would become increasingly hooked on Russian gas if Moscow got its way and it was time for countries to end that dependency.

“The EU (European Union) relies on Russia for over 40% of its gas, and with some countries Russia has a complete monopoly of supply. If Russia gets its way, Europe will be increasingly hooked on its gas,” Truss told the Chatham House think tank.

“We have to end this strategic dependency,” she said, adding she would meet her Ukrainian counterpart on Wednesday to strengthen their ties and repeat the message that any Russian incursion into Ukraine would be a mistake.

6 Jan 2022 - U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss Announces Kyiv Visit, Says Russia's Only Path Forward Is De-Escalation With Ukraine

Truss said, "and I'm working with allies and partners to highlight the strategic risks of this project."

"Europe must reduce its dependence on Russian gas," Truss added.

21 Jan 2022 - Liz Truss declares '100 per cent' loyalty to Boris Johnson  

25 Jan 2022 - UK calls for end to Nord Stream 2 in event of RU attack on Ukraine 

In an interview with Sky News on Monday, the country’s foreign minister Liz Truss said she was “very clear that Nord Stream 2 should not continue in the event of an attack on Ukraine.” When asked whether she believed the project should continue at all, she replied that Europe needs to reduce its reliance on Russian natural gas, as troop buildups at the border between Russia and Ukraine increasingly stoke fears among western countries over the outbreak of an armed conflict.

31 Jan 2022 - Liz Truss: I had a discussion with my colleague Foreign Minister 

...Baerbock last week about precisely this issue, and I welcome the statements from her and Chancellor Scholz about Nord Stream 2, in which they were very clear that it will not go ahead in the event of a Russian incursion. We do need to reduce dependence on Russian gas. I welcome the work that the United States is doing to look at how supplies can be augmented, and we are working with partners across the middle east. This is a strategic issue for Europe and we do need to reduce dependence on Russian gas—there is no doubt about it.

I have been very clear about our position on Nord Stream 2. More broadly, we need to reduce dependence on Russian gas. On the discussions taking place in various formats, we cannot have a situation in which Russian aggression is rewarded in any way. It has no auspices over Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we are very clear on that. What we are working on, and what tomorrow’s meeting of Foreign Ministers is about, is making sure that we are co-ordinating our positions across NATO, and we are very clear on those red lines.

17 Feb 2022 - Russia must pull back, or there will be trouble in the pipeline: article by Liz Truss

It’s vital that the Russian people and the Russian government hear directly from us about the price they would pay for a further invasion.

Not only would there be massive consequences bringing severe economic costs for Russia through an unprecedented package of coordinated sanctions.

It would also hit their other strategic interests including Nord Stream 2 - making it unconscionable for the pipeline to go ahead.

Alongside our allies, we are taking a hard-headed approach, which means being ready to accept short-term pain for long-term gain, whether through imposing sanctions or cutting strategic dependence.

24 March 2022 -  Liz Truss: WARNING: As Russian troops were positioned...

...on Ukraine’s border, the UK and its @NATO Allies and partners warned that any incursion would be a strategic mistake with massive consequences. We made plans to impose severe costs on Russia should it invade...

PUTIN MUST FAIL: United together, UK and its Allies and partners will not stop until the sovereignty of Ukraine is restored. We will continue to take action to defend our borders, support Ukraine and stand together in the face of Russian aggression.

4 April 2022 - Foreign Secretary to visit Poland to call for tougher action to tackle Russian aggression

Liz Truss will travel to Poland today (Monday 4 April) to see Ukrainian and Polish Foreign Ministers ahead of G7 and NATO talks in Brussels later this week.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:

Putin is yet to show he is serious about diplomacy. A tough approach from the UK and our allies is vital to strengthen Ukraine’s hand in negotiations.

Britain has helped lead the way with sanctions to cripple the Putin war machine. We will do more to ramp up the pressure on Russia and we will keep pushing others to do more. 

21 Sept 2022 - UK Prime Minister Liz Truss addresses the United Nations General Assembly (transcript here)

01:00 min: "...Geopolitics is entering a new era.."

06:00 min: "We are cutting off the toxic power and pipelines from authoritarian regimes and strengthening our energy resilience."

 

"We will ensure we cannot be coerced or harmed by the reckless actions of rogue actors abroad."

"The free world needs this economic strength and resilience to push back against authoritarian aggression and win this new era of strategic competition.

We must do this together."

 

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