The US on Friday sanctioned one Russian ship and two individuals over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline amid an ongoing controversy with Congress.
The designations raise the total number of sanctioned ships to 16 and individuals to seven, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
“Even as the Administration continues to oppose the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, including via our sanctions, we continue to work with Germany and other allies and partners to reduce the risks posed by the pipeline to Ukraine and frontline NATO and EU countries and to push back against harmful Russian activities, including in the energy sphere,” Blinken said.
The announcement came as Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, a staunch critic of the Joe Biden administration, has continued to delay dozens of Biden’s picks to lead the State Department and diplomatic missions abroad.
The senator has vowed to continue to uphold the block until the administration imposes congressionally mandated sanctions over the construction of Nord Stream 2. Just before the Senate adjourned for its summer recess, Cruz blocked 30 nominees from receiving a vote, and the chamber is not slated to return until September.
Source: Anadolu Agency