FT: Merz blocks attempts by Trump and Putin to revive 'Nord Stream'.

The German Chancellor supports the EU ban on the 'Nord Stream' pipelines as part of EU sanctions

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is "actively" supporting the proposed EU ban on the 'Nord Stream' pipelines connecting Russia to Germany. The goal is to prevent any efforts by the US and Russia to reactivate the gas pipelines.

Reports in March that Kremlin-linked Russian and American businessmen were trying to restart private gas pipelines prompted Merz to start discussions with officials in Berlin and Brussels about ways to prevent this, one of the interlocutors noted.

Analysis:

Friedrich Merz's decision to support the ban on 'Nord Stream' pipelines as part of EU sanctions indicates his desire to avoid potential conflicts between the US and Russia over the gas market. It could also impact Europe's energy strategy and change the dynamics of relations between countries in the future.