Today at 20:40
NATO is planning to build a fuel pipeline to supply its eastern flank in the event of a conflict on its territory, Spiegel reports.
Since the Cold War, NATO has maintained two fuel pipelines that extend to Germany, but neither reaches eastern Germany, which was under Soviet control at the time.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO decided to plan the construction of additional pipelines to enhance its fuel supply network.
The chosen strategy involves extending existing pipelines into Eastern Europe. Since the current system ends in Germany, the country will play a key role in the project.
According to Spiegel, one pipeline will be extended to the Czech Republic, while another will reach Poland. There is also consideration of linking pipeline systems. The German military estimates the total construction cost at €21 billion, with full implementation expected to take 20–25 years.
Potential obstacles include uncertainty over the stance of the new U.S. administration and possible protests from residents near the planned construction sites.
Poland has previously raised the idea of expanding NATO’s fuel pipelines.
Earlier, representatives from the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland signed an agreement aimed at reducing bureaucratic hurdles for the rapid movement of troops and military equipment from the North Sea to NATO’s eastern flank.
Read also: Fico justifies Russia’s attack on Ukraine and says Zelenskyy “needs a war”
