The $11 billion pipeline, which would double the capacity of its existing duct, would bypass Ukraine through which Russia has sent gas to Europe for decades. That could deprive Ukraine of lucrative transit fees and potentially undermine its struggle against Russian aggression.

The United States, the world's top gas producer, also would like to export liquefied natural gas to Europe as an alternative to Russian gas.
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Ned Price, the State Department spokesman, told reporters this week the fact that the companies quit with sanctions looming "demonstrates that the legislative goals and our actions are having a good effect."

He said the State Department continues to "examine entities involved in potentially sanctionable activity." Price has also said "sanctions are only one" of many tools in response to Nord Stream 2.