In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Washington said it would waive sanctions about to be imposed on Germany-registered Nord Stream 2 AG, the operator of the Nord Stream-2 pipeline project. The sanctions were suggested by a report sent to Congress by the State Department, which said in it that Nord Stream AG and its head, Matthias Warnig, engaged in a sanctionable activity, Reuters reported . Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, however, said it was in the national interest to waive these sanctions. Other sanctions the last two administrations have imposed on participants in the Nord Stream 2 project remain, including sanctions on four Russian vessels and five entities, including the country’s Marine Rescue Service. “Today’s actions demonstrate the administration’s commitment to energy security in Europe, consistent with the President’s pledge to rebuild relationships with our allies and partners in Europe,” Secretary Blinken said in a statement ahead of […]