Nord Stream 2: Biden waives US sanctions on Russian pipeline - BBC NewsQuote:
The US also lifted sanctions on the executive - an ally of Russia's Vladimir Putin - who leads the firm behind the Nord Stream 2 project.
The move came in a report on Russian sanctions delivered to Congress by the Department of State.
Critics say the pipeline is a major geopolitical prize for the Kremlin.
Matthias Warnig is a former East Germany spy and Putin crony who the State Dept will admit to Congress is engaged in sanctionable activities . Still they will recommend that sanctions on him and his company be waived .
Sec State Blinken stated in testimony during confirmation that "I am determined to do whatever we can to prevent that completion" of Nord Stream 2."
These recommendations put the lie to that statement . The completion of Nord Stream 2 would be a major political win for Putin and would increase his leverage in Western Europe . As Putin has shown many times ;he has no problem cutting off energy supply to nations for political leverage .