The US and Germany have reached a deal, which intends to prevent Russia from applying political leverage through its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, as the project nears completion. The 1,230-kilometer pipeline will double Russian gas exports to Germany to 110 billion cubic meters per year. Many are worried, however, that it will undermine the $3 billion that the Ukraine currently receives in annual transit fees for Russia’s existing gas flows. Under the terms of the US-German deal, Ukraine will receive $50 million in green energy technology credits and a guarantee of repayment for gas transit fees it will lose by being bypassed by the pipeline through 2024. Ukraine also says the pipeline threatens its security. With Russia having annexed…