How much will Putin’s military machine gain from restarting Nord Stream 2?

Industry experts report that there has been interest shown by both the US and Russia in resuming the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline’s operations, which would provide Putin’s military machine with billions of euros to finance the weapons that continue to kill Ukrainians.

They emphasize that Western leaders must reject any steps aimed at restoring Russian gas pipeline operations and tighten sanctions, saying that Europe cannot afford to halt its progress toward energy security. A complete embargo on Russian fossil fuels is the only way to stop eliminate financing for Putin’s war and ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine.

If the gas pipeline is restarted, the Russian budget would receive an additional €4.7B annually. If this revenue is directed to the Russian military, it would be sufficient to purchase 104,794 Shahed drones or 1,711 Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

Despite this, some heads of major European companies, including French Engie and TotalEnergies, have begun discussing the possibility of a moderate resumption of Russian gas imports “if a reasonable peace comes to Ukraine.”