US 'in secret talks with Putin ally to restart Nord Stream 2 pipeline' two years after it was blown up in sabotage attack

Secret discussions have reportedly been taking place between a close associate of Vladimir Putin and key individuals connected to Donald Trump’s inner circle with the aim of restarting the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

According to reports, the talks aim to rescue the controversial undersea pipeline, which funnels Russian gas to western Europe. 

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was once a symbol of Europe’s dependence on Russian energy before it was attacked in September 2022. The explosions on September 26 severely damaged three out of the four pipelines that make up Nord Stream, a project that had taken 15 years to complete.

If successful, this initiative would represent a significant policy shift for Trump, who had previously spearheaded campaigns to halt the Nord Stream 2 project and encourage Germany to purchase American liquefied natural gas (LNG) instead.

If successful, the deal could see US investors acquiring a stake in the pipeline’s operating company, allowing them to profit if Russian gas flows resume to Germany and other central European nations – should Western sanctions ease after a ceasefire in Ukraine. 

It would also give Washington a major foothold in Berlin’s energy market.

The secret discussions are said to have taken place in Switzerland, brokered by Matthias Warnig, a former East German intelligence officer and longtime Putin confidant. 

Warnig, who ran Nord Stream 2 before it collapsed into insolvency in 2023, reportedly played a key role in assembling potential backers.

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines were the biggest symbol of Europe’s energy dependence on Moscow until three of their four strands were bombed in 2022

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines were the biggest symbol of Europe’s energy dependence on Moscow until three of their four strands were bombed in 2022

The secret discussions are said to have taken place in Switzerland, brokered by Matthias Warnig (pictured), a former East German intelligence officer and longtime Putin confidant

The secret discussions are said to have taken place in Switzerland, brokered by Matthias Warnig (pictured), a former East German intelligence officer and longtime Putin confidant

During his first term, Trump aggressively opposed the pipeline, warning that it would make Germany 'captive' to Russian energy

During his first term, Trump aggressively opposed the pipeline, warning that it would make Germany ‘captive’ to Russian energy

Gas bubbles from the Nord Stream 2 leak reaching surface of the Baltic Sea in the area shows a disturbance of well over one kilometre in diameter near Bornholm, Denmark, September 27, 2022

Gas bubbles from the Nord Stream 2 leak reaching surface of the Baltic Sea in the area shows a disturbance of well over one kilometre in diameter near Bornholm, Denmark, September 27, 2022

On the US side, Richard Grenell, Trump’s combative former ambassador to Germany and current envoy for ‘special missions,’ is alleged to have led negotiations. 

Stephen Lynch, a wealthy Trump-linked businessman, has also been named as a potential investor in the project.

However, both Grenell and Warnig have denied involvement, while Lynch has yet to comment on the claims.

Despite the reported discussions, relaunching Nord Stream 2 faces massive challenges. 

Only one of the pipeline’s two strands remains intact, and repairing the damaged section could cost over £79million.

Additionally, the company behind the pipeline is under severe financial strain, with just two months to put together a plan to repay billions of dollars in debt.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle is political. The German government has shown no interest in reviving Nord Stream 2, having suspended its certification just days before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 

Any attempt to restart the project would likely face fierce resistance from Berlin, as well as from Ukraine and other European allies opposed to deepening energy ties with Moscow.

Trump’s apparent change of heart on Nord Stream 2 is raising eyebrows in Washington and across Europe. 

During his first term, he aggressively opposed the pipeline, warning that it would make Germany ‘captive’ to Russian energy. 

The blasts wrecked three out of four Nord Stream pipelines, which had become a controversial symbol of German reliance on Russian gas in the wake of Moscow 's invasion of Ukraine, and triggered wild speculation over the possible culprit

The blasts wrecked three out of four Nord Stream pipelines, which had become a controversial symbol of German reliance on Russian gas in the wake of Moscow ‘s invasion of Ukraine, and triggered wild speculation over the possible culprit

This handout picture taken and released on September 29, 2022 shows the release of gas emanating from a leak on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

This handout picture taken and released on September 29, 2022 shows the release of gas emanating from a leak on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

Aerial photo provided by the Swedish Coast Guard on Sept. 27, 2022 shows the gas leak from Nord Stream in the Baltic Sea

Aerial photo provided by the Swedish Coast Guard on Sept. 27, 2022 shows the gas leak from Nord Stream in the Baltic Sea

Now, with his return to the White House in January, there are signs of a thaw in US-Russia relations – at least in the energy sector.

If American investors were to take a stake in Nord Stream 2, it could pave the way for a broader shift in how Washington handles sanctions on Moscow and negotiations over Ukraine’s future. 

However, given the scale of opposition to the pipeline, any such deal is likely to face intense scrutiny.

Last year, a Ukrainian military officer allegedly involved in the 2022 operation told the Wall Street Journal the sabotage – pulled off with a single yacht, a six-person crew, rudimentary diving equipment and a set of light explosives – was dreamt up by a few Ukrainian military men amid an alcohol-fuelled bash.

One officer who participated and three other sources familiar with the plan also told WSJ it was initially approved by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but said that former armed forces commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny instructed the team to forge on with the attack when Zelensky got cold feet.

The Ukrainian president’s office at the time vehemently rejected the WSJ’s investigation as ‘absolute nonsense’.

You May Also Like
Body found in Long Island pool suspected to be fugitive wanted in father’s killing: police

Police suspect that the body discovered in a Long Island pool is the fugitive wanted for the murder of his father.

Authorities believe the body found in a Long Island homeowner’s pool could…
Human remains found in sunken boat bring closure to Texas family's Alaska tragedy

Discovery of human remains in submerged vessel brings comfort to Texas family following Alaskan tragedy

Almost 10 months after a Texas family’s boat capsized off the coast…
Liverpool parade car crash today: Driver crashes into soccer fans, injuring 45 people; incident not believed to be terrorism

Paul Doyle, the driver, faces charges for causing serious injuries after nearly 80 people were hurt in a car collision during a soccer parade in Liverpool.

LONDON — A driver who injured nearly 80 people when his car…
Houston kidnapping: Jonmario Jackson, Ashley Hunter Man charged in kidnapping 4-year-old and holding mother at gunpoint

Two Individuals Charged in Houston Kidnapping of 4-Year-Old and Mother Held at Gunpoint

In Houston, a man and his fiancée were taken into custody for…
Oklahoma City Thunder roll into NBA Finals for first time in 13 years with Game 5 demolition of Timberwolves

Oklahoma City Thunder advance to NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years after dominating Timberwolves in Game 5.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have booked their ticket to the NBA Finals…
Renee Zellweger and boyfriend Ant Anstead living apart as his money troubles mount

Renee Zellweger and her boyfriend Ant Anstead are living separately as he faces financial difficulties

Renee Zellweger and her British TV host boyfriend Ant Anstead have been living…
GOP 'Strategery' in the U.S. House

Republican Strategy in the U.S. House

The five steps for this GOP plan are as follows: Trying to…
The CNN reporter whose tweets annoyed Pete Hegseth so much he 'tried to ban her from overseas trip'

CNN reporter irritated Pete Hegseth with her tweets, leading him to attempt to prevent her from joining an international trip.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly tried to remove a CNN reporter…
Judge delivers crushing blow to Trump's ban on Harvard's foreign students

Judge deals severe blow to Trump’s prohibition of foreign students at Harvard

U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs announced on Thursday that she will…
Some who experienced 'frozen funds' through Yotta high-yield savings app, backed by Evolve Bank and Trust, getting refunds

Refunds are being issued to those affected by ‘frozen funds’ in the Yotta high-interest savings app, which is supported by Evolve Bank and Trust.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Some individuals who encountered issues with frozen funds preventing…
Infant found dead with dog bites was not killed by puppy: officials

Officials confirm puppy did not kill baby with dog bites

The city’s chief medical officer announced that the 1-month-old girl found deceased…
Jewish Republican lawmaker talks antisemitism in America after deadly DC shooting

Republican Lawmaker Discusses Antisemitism in America Following Fatal Shooting in DC

The recent tragic shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum near Washington, D.C.…