US sanctions 1 Russian ship, 2 individuals over Nord Stream 2

WASHINGTON

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.

Biden in July reached an agreement with Germany on the controversial natural gas pipeline in which Berlin agreed to take extensive measures to assuage US concerns in exchange for the US not sanctioning any German entities.

The US under successive presidents has warned that the pipeline is a bad deal for Germany and jeopardizes European energy security, as well as posing the risk that Russia might cut off gas supplies that currently run through Ukraine.

Under the pact, Berlin agreed to appoint a special envoy to help extend the existing gas contract that it has with Russia "well beyond" its current expiration in 2024, and would take action at the national and EU levels should Russia attempt to use energy resources as a weapon against Kyiv.

Ukraine has sharply criticized the agreement as a boon for Russia. It is near certain to dominate discussions when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Biden at the end of August.

The nearly complete pipeline will carry gas from Russia to Germany, which will then be distributed throughout the European Union.