bypassing third countries and it is in addition to an already existing pipeline north stream this would allow russia to double the amount of gas sent to europe now there are fears in washington but also here in europe that this pipeline would give russia leverage over european countries and also do away with the need to transfer gas via ukraine as a. is doing now this is important because ukraine and russia have been in the conflict for the last couple of years largely over the eastern part of ukraine and despite the on a most animosity until now russian gas still goes through ukraine reprint serves as a gateway for russian gas and ukraine relies on transit free from transit fees from russia and also has some geo political leverage by them so it's interesting though to hear those comments from the u.s. ambassador to germany how seriously are going else comments being taken so many have commented on the on the issue and say grinnell is overstepping his boundaries you're going hotz who is the foreign policy spokesman of medicals cd you can