The State Department this week waived fresh sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 AG (NS2) consortium that is building the natural gas pipeline from Russia to Europe as the Biden administration looks to strengthen relationships in the region.

The 745-mile, 5.3 Bcf/d line as designed would traverse the Baltic Sea from Russia, to Greifswald, Germany.

In a report to Congress on Wednesday, the State Department said it was “in the national interest” to waive sanctions on the Swiss-based consortium and corporate officers including CEO Mattias Warnig. Waivers were not provided for four Russian-flagged vessels and four Russian entities associated with marine oversight and vessel ownership. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration still continues to oppose the...