Russia’s recent military buildup on Ukraine’s eastern border has re-focused Washington’s attention on the potential perils of the Nord Stream 2 Russia-Germany Baltic sea gas line,

Diane Francis writes in a new Atlantic Council blog. Noting that Russia hopes to finish the 1,230 km project this summer, this veteran Ukraine watcher warns that commissioning “would also remove a major obstacle to future large-scale Russian military operations against Ukraine, potentially paving the way for a major escalation in the seven-year conflict between the two countries.” She adds: “Once construction of the pipeline is finished, opponents fear Moscow will sabotage existing supply routes via Ukraine in order to force Germany to accept deliveries via Nord Stream 2.”