For the most part, Biden has continued the sanctions imposed by his predecessors and added new ones.
For instance, Biden issued an order in April 2021 that prohibited U.S. financial institutions from trading ruble-denominated bonds linked to a variety of Russian entities, and sanctioned six technology companies with links to Russian intelligence.
And in May 2021, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on Russian shipping and other entities involved in the pipeline project.
However, in the course of pursuing U.S. diplomatic goals, the Biden administration has sought some flexibility. In May 2021, for instance, the administration waived sanctions on the company spearheading Nord Stream 2 as well as its CEO, arguing that a waiver was in the U.S. national interest.
Nord Stream 2 is a bilateral project between Germany and Russia, so the U.S. can only stop it using indirect leverage.
Trump was president through January 2021, so the vast majority of its construction occurred while he was president.
"It has been mainly Germany’s decision, so I don’t see how one can interpret Nord Stream 2 as a gift from Biden," Herrera said. "All we can do is pressure Germany to not allow it to become operational."
For instance, Biden issued an order in April 2021 that prohibited U.S. financial institutions from trading ruble-denominated bonds linked to a variety of Russian entities, and sanctioned six technology companies with links to Russian intelligence.
And in May 2021, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on Russian shipping and other entities involved in the pipeline project.
However, in the course of pursuing U.S. diplomatic goals, the Biden administration has sought some flexibility. In May 2021, for instance, the administration waived sanctions on the company spearheading Nord Stream 2 as well as its CEO, arguing that a waiver was in the U.S. national interest.
Nord Stream 2 is a bilateral project between Germany and Russia, so the U.S. can only stop it using indirect leverage.
Trump was president through January 2021, so the vast majority of its construction occurred while he was president.
"It has been mainly Germany’s decision, so I don’t see how one can interpret Nord Stream 2 as a gift from Biden," Herrera said. "All we can do is pressure Germany to not allow it to become operational."
