Tusk Urges Caution Against Reviving Nord Stream 2 Amid Ukraine Conflict

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has issued a stark warning regarding the potential resumption of economic relations with Russia following the conclusion of the ongoing war in Ukraine. He expressed concerns that political pressure may mount to restart the contentious Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a project that has faced significant criticism as a symbol of European appeasement towards Moscow.

During an interview with the Sunday Times, Tusk characterized discussions among European politicians advocating for renewed ties with Russia as an “alarm bell.” He stated, “[I know] it means that someone in Europe wants to restore Nord Stream 2, to have good business with oil and gas from Russia, and so on. For me, it’s always like an alarm bell.” The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, designed to transport gas from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea, has been labeled a strategic error by critics, who argue that it undermines European security interests.

The pipeline was damaged in 2022, shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In a subsequent investigation, a Ukrainian professional diver was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the sabotage. Tusk remarked on social media earlier this month, “The problem with Nord Stream 2 is not that it was blown up. The problem is that it was built.”

In the same interview, Tusk addressed a recent ruling by a Polish court that blocked a German extradition request for a suspect linked to the Nord Stream sabotage. He asserted that this decision grants Ukraine the right to target Russian-associated entities throughout Europe. Tusk criticized what he perceives as European complacency and a persistent underestimation of Putin’s expansionist ambitions. He warned, “We are talking about the end of the era of illusions in Europe — too late, I’m afraid. Too late to be well prepared for all the threats, but not too late to survive.”

Tusk also reflected on the implications of Brexit, calling Britain’s departure from the European Union “one of the biggest mistakes in our [shared European] history.” He revisited David Cameron‘s attempt to leverage the Brexit referendum as a means to negotiate concessions from the EU, stating, “And today I think it’s much more visible.” His comments highlight the evolving perception of the United Kingdom’s situation since leaving the EU, noting that many Poles now view the UK’s circumstances as not significantly better than their own. He added, “I also know that Brits are starting to leave the U.K. and begin a life here in Poland.”

As discussions about Ukraine’s future and relations with Russia continue, Tusk’s remarks underscore the complexities and potential risks involved in Europe’s approach to its eastern neighbor. The potential revival of projects like Nord Stream 2 remains a contentious issue, with significant implications for European energy security and geopolitical stability.