Faced with the dilemma of what to do about Nord Stream 2, the controversial Russian gas pipeline to Europe, the Biden administration has essentially punted, allowing the project to continue for the time being without leveling any new sanctions on companies involved.
In a new report submitted to Congress, obtained by Foreign Policy, the State Department identified a Russian vessel, Fortuna, and its owner, KVT-Rus, as violating prohibitions on working on the project, paving the way for further sanctions. But the congressionally mandated report did not cite other Russian-flagged ships that have been cited in past media reports as working on Nord Stream 2. Nor does the report single out any German or other European firms involved in the construction of the pipeline. The report also named 18 companies that had already left the project or were planning to leave following the threat of sanctions.
