However, according to Handelsblatt, Warsaw is opposing the project not because of its personal interests, but is rather following Washington's instructions.
The aim of this strategy is to support the US fracking industry and create favorable conditions for the United States to export large volumes of shale gas to Europe. However, Washington's plans could come true only if the Nord Stream-2 is never implemented.
"Thanks to its fracking technology the United States can produce large volumes of shale gas and export them to Europe by sea. Of course, the US export plans could be realized only if the Nord Stream-2 is never built," the newspaper wrote.
The capacity of the pipeline is so big that the American gas purchases would make no sense for the Europeans, and therefore, the project is contrary to the economic interests of the US.
More important, however, is the fact that the Nord Stream-2 fully meets the interests of Europe itself. Taking into account the Ukrainian crisis, Ukraine has long been a risk factor for the EU's energy security. Therefore, the EU is interested to receive a stable supply of gas regardless of the situation in Kiev, Handelsblatt stressed.
"The construction of the Nord Stream-2 will eliminate this huge risk for the next several years. After all, the route under the Baltic Sea is not only the shortest and cheapest for the Russian gas, but also the safest one," the newspaper concluded.