U.S. maintains option of sanctions related to Nord Stream 2
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Perry was speaking in Warsaw during a visit to east European countries as the administration of President Donald Trump seeks to encourage the purchase of gas from the United States or other suppliers rather than increasing purchases from Russia.
Asked at a news conference whether Washington could impose sanctions on companies working on the project, Perry said: "I saw no signals where we would ever get to the point where we can support Nord Stream 2."
He added that "sanctions were an option that the president maintained."
Russia's Gazprom is the sole shareholder in Nord Stream 2, shouldering 50 percent of the 9.5 billion euro ($11 billion) bill. Gazprom's Western partners are Austrian OMV along with Uniper, Wintershall, Shell and Engie.
The CEO at OMV said in October he was optimistic Denmark would approve the project next year and the new gas transport route would start operations in late 2019. ■