Our trust in European partners has been undermined, said Sergei Lavrov. Angela Merkel warned the pipe not to be used as a geopolitical weapon
Allegations that the construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline will increase Europe’s dependence on Russian gas supplies are unfounded. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview published on Monday in front of the Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet, quoted by TASS.
According to him, Russia views the construction of the pipeline as an extremely mutually beneficial trade project. Lavrov called the allegations that Nord Stream 2 would increase Europe’s dependence on gas supplies from the Russian Federation unfounded. It is more correct to talk about positive interdependence – after all, Moscow is also interested in Europeans buying its goods, in this case – energy resources, said the Russian Foreign Minister.
The “loser”, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said on Sunday, after meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel in Kiev, that the Russian-German Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline was a dangerous geopolitical weapon for the Kremlin, world news agencies reported the same day. Angela Merkel, who supports the project, told Zelensky that if gas was actually used as a geopolitical weapon, Germany would support future sanctions.
In front of the Hungarian edition, Sergei Lavrov noted in the controversy in absentia that the commissioning of Nord Stream-2 will ensure the diversification of gas transit routes, without increasing the volume of gas supplies at the moment.
Lavrov stressed that sustainable gas supplies to European consumers can be made in the shortest possible way, which will reduce the “environmental footprint” of its transportation.
In addition, the minister said, Russia does not refuse to comply with existing gas supply agreements for Europe – while transit countries in the future will have to compete for the right to transit, rather than trying to dictate their terms.
Lavrov is convinced that Nord Stream 2 will strengthen Europe’s strategic energy security for decades to come, which is why European capitals interested in the project strongly support the completion of the pipeline.
What Berlin is trying to do
In talks with President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Friday, Merkel stressed that the pipeline is important for Europe’s energy security.
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But at the same time, the German chancellor stressed that it is very important for Ukraine to remain a transit country for Russian gas after 2024 (when the current transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expires) and to receive revenues from it (about $ 2 billion a year).
Germany takes Ukraine’s concerns about Nord Stream 2 seriously, Merkel said, calling for an agreement to continue transit through the country.
In addition to Ukraine’s energy capabilities, the chancellor noted that Germany would help it increase its renewable energy by 1 billion euros.
Lavrov: Trust has been undermined
Russia’s trust in many European energy partners has been severely undermined, Lavrov said.
“By the way, our trust in many European partners in the energy sector has also been seriously undermined,” he said.
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The Minister recalled that in May 2019, especially for the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project, the EU adopted amendments to the gas directive from the Third Energy Package. According to Lavrov, the amendments were adopted retrospectively, when the main investments have already been made, thus striking at the protection of the rights of a bona fide investor – one of the basic principles of market relations. “Of course, this did not give us confidence in the reliability of our partners,” Lavrov said.
Construction is nearing completion
Completion of the construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline in German waters by the Russian pipeline Fortuna is scheduled for September 12, Bloomberg reported, citing German maritime authorities.
On Saturday, “Fortuna” finished work in Danish waters, clarifies the Russian edition “Sputnik”.
Currently, Nord Stream-2 is 99 percent complete.
On Friday, Vladimir Putin said after a meeting with Angela Merkel that only 15 kilometers remained until the completion of Nord Stream-2.
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