[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 18, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H6477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RUSSIAN ENERGY INTERESTS IN EUROPE

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, control of energy equals national security. 
I rise to warn how Russia, through hybrid warfare, seeks to destabilize 
and divide our closest European allies through control of their energy 
supply.
  As Americans well know, whoever controls the energy spigot controls 
the function of a nation. Russia uses its growing dominance of energy 
in Europe as its primary pressure point to destabilize the West and our 
allies. That is why I was floored that President Trump inserted himself 
so haphazardly into Europe's energy debate.
  Nord Stream II poses new, troubling dependency threats by Russia on 
Europe's energy security and boosts undemocratic Russia's claw hold on 
the European continent. Russia is weaponizing energy in countries 
across Europe, including Germany and Ukraine, creating a dangerous new 
dependency by those recipient nations.
  The fight for Ukraine's liberty depends on its energy independence in 
the future, and the free world must help Europe and Ukraine reduce 
their economic reliance on Russian gas.
  Risking alienation of nations that share freedom's values is 
counterproductive and aids and abets our enemies.
  Mr. Speaker, I will include in the Record President Trump's and 
President Putin's comments on this topic.

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