Title: Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline – What is the controversy about? | News | DW | 14.07.2018
Headings: Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline – What is the controversy about?
News
Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline – What is the controversy about?
What is Nord Stream 2?
Why is it controversial?
Ukraine fears the Nord Stream Pipeline
Trump slams Germany over pipeline at NATO

Content: The rest, however, is being financed by five western companies: ENGIE, OMV, Royal Dutch Shell, Uniper and Wintershall. Read more: Russian pipe dream hits raw European nerve
Why is it controversial? EU countries: The planned route bypasses central and eastern European countries such as Slovakia and Poland, leaving them without a chance to collect lucrative gas transit fees. Moreover, with Russia having means to directly deliver gas to its most important buyer, Germany, it would be much easier for the Russian government to shut off existing pipelines leading through Eastern Europe. The project also runs contrary to Brussels' efforts to wean Europe off Russian gas. In April 2018, the EU Commission refused to back the project, saying it did not contribute to the EU goals of diversifying the gas supplies. Separately, environmentalists claim the pipeline would be harmful for the flora and fauna of the Baltic Sea.