Angela Merkel hit back at Emmanuel Macron over Russia and Germany’s pipeline project, declaring it would “not be a one-sided dependency”. The German Chancellor explained that Germany will expand its gas terminals with “liquified gas”. Speaking at a press conference, Ms Merkel declared: “Do we become dependent on Russia because of this second gas pipeline? I say no, if we diversify. Germany will expand its gas terminals with liquefied gas.
“This means that we do not want to depend only on Russia, but Russia was a source of gas in the Cold War and will remain one.
“But it would not be one-sided dependency.”
Today the European Union Council will vote on a directive meant to apply EU market rules to energy projects that start in a third country, like the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia.
France has decided to back the directive which has seemingly shaken the relation between Mr Macron and Ms Merkel.
Germany has reportedly wanted to build the pipeline with Russia which remains a high priority for Russian President Vladimir Putin as the project has been estimated at $11 billion.
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline has been highly controversial since its announcement in 2015 and the USA has spent years attempting to derail the pipeline into Europe.
Fears focus on the possibility that Germany will have too much reliance on Russia for their energy while tensions between the nation and the west continue to rise.
US officials have urged Europe to buy US natural gas rather than rely so heavily on Moscow.
Tensions between France and Italy have also recently been strained as the French President and the two Deputy Prime Ministers have been hurling insults at one another over their ability to deal with the political issues in their country.
Mr Macron often faces criticism for his inability to deal with the yellow vest protests that have erupted around the country.
Yesterday France elected to recall its ambassador in Rome as a result of the current political tensions felt between the two nations.
France’s foreign ministry said in a statement: “France has been, for several months, the target of repeated, baseless attacks and outrageous statements.
“All of these actions are creating a serious situation which is raising questions about the Italian government’s intentions towards France.”