The administration of the President of the United States (US), Joe Biden, lifted the ban on the company that built the controversial gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, namely Nord Stream 2.
The United States also lifted sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin's ally, who led the firm behind the project.
According to the US Department of the Interior through its report, informed that its chief executive, Matthias Warnig, was involved in prohibited activities.
However, the department concluded the sanctions could be lifted on the basis of U.S. national interests.
In addition, the department also imposed sanctions on four Russian ships involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2 despite critics saying the move was not enough to stop the project.
Meanwhile, critics add, the pipeline is a major geopolitical asset for the Kremlin.
The project, which will take gas from the Russian Arctic under the Baltic Sea to Germany, is already over 95% completed.
According to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Biden wants stable and "predictable" relations with Russia.
Blinken said this during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at an international summit in Iceland yesterday.
However, Biden's action received criticism from Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Menendez.
According to the New Jersey Democrat, he urged the Biden administration to implement the sanctions desired by Congress.
Menendez added that he was not convinced that Biden's decision would help US efforts to curb Russian influence in Europe.
