This is reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Back in February, Lynch reached out to the U.S. Department of the Treasury requesting a license that would allow him to negotiate the pipeline with individuals under American sanctions. The publication obtained this letter of appeal.
Lynch emphasized that the pipeline, valued at approximately $11 billion, could be "acquired for pennies." He also suggested that many investors would refrain from participating in the bidding due to geopolitical factors, and among the other bidders, there would likely be Russian proxies, Chinese firms, or other entities that contradict U.S. interests.
According to WSJ, the billionaire stressed in discussions with American officials that acquiring this pipeline would provide the U.S. with leverage in any peace negotiations with Russia, particularly to help end the war in Ukraine.
Lynch also noted that owning this pipeline would enable Washington to "control energy supplies to Europe until the end of the fossil fuel era."
He is an American investor who has been involved in business in Moscow for nearly two decades. Previously, he received a license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to complete the acquisition of the Swiss subsidiary of Russia's Sberbank in 2022, after Washington imposed sanctions on the parent company.
Lynch also financially supported Donald Trump's presidential campaign and stated that he "wants to be the richest person you’ve never heard of."
This is an extension of the "Nord Stream" pipeline in the Baltic Sea, measuring 1,234 km. It crosses the economic zones and territorial waters of five countries: Denmark, Germany, Russia, Finland, and Sweden.
The original project envisioned the construction of two pipeline strands with a capacity of 55 billion m³ per year through the Baltic Sea to Germany. The route runs alongside the first strand of the Nord Stream.
Documents declassified in 2024 revealed that the German government, contrary to official statements, was closely involved in the construction of the pipeline.