Biden defends decision not to sanction company building controversial Russian gas pipeline

President Joe Biden on Tuesday stood by his decision not to sanction the company in charge of building Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, characterizing the move as protecting relationships with European allies.“

I have been opposed to Nord Stream 2 from the beginning,” Biden said Tuesday of the pipeline, which is expected to be finished this summer and is intended to provide Europe with a sustainable gas supply while giving Russia more direct access to the European market.

“But it was almost completed by the time I took office,” Biden added. “And to go ahead and impose sanctions now would I think be counterproductive in terms of our European relations and I hope we can work on how they handle it from this point on.”

The move to let the pipeline proceed unimpeded — signaling that the administration is prioritizing unity with allies over concerns about a potential geopolitical threat — could also increase strain between the White House and Democratic lawmakers, many of whom oppose Nord Stream 2.

A source familiar with the situation said the decision was ultimately the White House’s call.

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