Germany must resist Russian 'blackmail' over pipeline -Greens co-leader

Greens party co-leader Annalena Baerbock speaks on a stage during a party meeting to discuss the results of the exploratory talks and the start of negotiations for a possible new government coalition, in Berlin, Germany, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

BERLIN (Reuters) - The co-leader of Germany's Green Party accused Russian "blackmail" of causing high energy prices across Europe, saying Moscow is trying to leverage Germany to allow the Nord Stream 2 Baltic gas pipeline to begin operations.

The remarks by Annalena Baerbock, considered a likely foreign minister in the next government, hinted at a key faultline in talks that are due to start Thursday between her party, Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats and the Free Democrat liberals on forming Germany's next government.