Munich Re stops insuring Nord Stream 2 amid sanctions threat

(Reuters) — A subsidiary of Germany's Munich Re will no longer insure the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Europe amid the fear of sanctions by the U.S. government.

The U.S. has been threatening sanctions against European companies that support the construction of the $11 billion gas pipeline, and Zurich Insurance Group dropped out last month.

“Munich Re Syndicate has issued the notice of termination to Nord Stream 2,” a spokesman said in an emailed statement on Tuesday, referring to the company’s subsidiary.

Munich Re declined to provide further details.

The pipeline is more than 90% complete, and Russia's state energy company, Gazprom, and its Western partners are hoping to finish it this year. Much of the remaining work is difficult and in deep waters off Denmark.

Nord Stream 2 declined to comment on Munich Re's decision but said it was up to European governments and the European Commission to protect European companies from sanctions that “they have described as contrary to international law and an interference in energy policy sovereignty.”