Thread by @profalanriley1

1. Nord Stream 2: The supposed liability issues. ft.com/content/c83d28…

2. There is a lot of wailing from Gazprom lobbyists about the prospect of huge liabilities for Germany if the project is cancelled. However, it almost inconceivable that the Western energy companies financing NS2 did not receive direct or indirect forms of indemnification

3. If they did not do so it was wholly irresponsible for them to no to do so given the controversy and scale of opposition to NS2 across the EU, from 8 EU heads of gov opposing it to resolutions for cancellation in the European Parliament supported by large majorities.

4. Nor is it easy to see how NS2 can sue the EU if sanctions are imposed. NS2 would have to challenge the imposition of sanctions when the EU has a legitimate objective to punish Russia for the Navalny poisoning and its support for Lukakshenko in suppressing a democratic election

5. NS2 is a legitimate target as it is 100% owned by Gazprom a Russian state-controlled company and NS2 itself is a geopolitical play of the Russian state to undermine Ukrainian independence (which the EU is pledged to support) and the independence & integrity of several EU MS

6. Nor is Germany likely to suffer from an investment drought by supporting sanctions on NS2, there are few investors who intend to invade European countries, poison the leader of the opposition and seek to suppress a democratic election in a neighbouring country.