The United States is on the lookout for signs that Russia may use energy as a political tool in Europe’s energy crisis, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, adding that Washington has pledged to take the appropriate measures, with Germany, if Moscow were to take this path. Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met at the State Department and signed a charter on a strategic partnership. Discussions focused on Ukraine’s neighbor Russia, which Kuleba said was already using gas reserves as a weapon.

Blinken said Washington was also concerned about reports of “unusual Russian military activity” near the Russia-Ukraine border, warning that escalation or aggressive action would be of concern to the United States. . “Should Russia attempt to use energy as a weapon or commit other aggressive acts against Ukraine, we pledge, and Germany pledge, to take appropriate action,” Blinken said, adding that Washington was “watching very carefully for signs” that Russia was using energy as a weapon as in the past.

Russia has been accused of curbing energy supply amid record gas prices, but Putin blamed the EU’s energy policy and said Russia could increase Europe’s supply once the Nord Stream 2 pipeline approved. “Russia could and should take steps to alleviate the energy crisis by increasing gas supplies,” Blinken said.

Washington opposes the $ 11 billion pipeline, currently nearing completion, that runs under the Baltic Sea to transport gas from the Arctic region from Russia to Germany. The Biden administration lifted sanctions against the pipeline operator and reached a deal with Germany in July on the pipeline. Germany accepted https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-germany-deal-nord-stream-2-pipeline-draws-ire-lawmakers-both-countries-2021-07-21 to take measures if Russia uses energy as a weapon in its relations with Ukraine, but the pact did not provide specific criteria on how this would be judged.

The United States expected Germany to “keep” its promise to ensure that Nord Stream 2 does not substitute for gas in transit through Ukraine, “Blinken said. “What we are seeing is that Russia is already using gas as a weapon,” Kuleba said in response, adding that Ukraine wanted Germany to use its “leverage” on Russia.

“Russia should get a very strong message not only from the United States and other capitals, but also from Berlin, that it is not the game that will benefit Russia.” STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

In the charter signed on Wednesday, the United States pledged to support Ukraine’s efforts to tackle Russia’s armed aggression, economic and energy disruption, and malicious cyber activities, including by upholding sanctions against Russia. and applying other relevant measures. Washington remained committed to helping Ukraine continue its strong training exercises and reaffirmed its support for Kiev’s efforts to maximize its status as a NATO Partner with Enhanced Opportunities.

Kuleba stressed the importance of US support and added that Ukraine would benefit from any potential defense cooperation that enhances its capabilities, including intelligence sharing or air defense systems. “We are in a situation where we cannot afford to waste or waste time and we look forward to working with the United States in this area,” he said.

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