Ukrainian says the Nord Stream 2 project will allow Germany “to usurp privileges” in Europe’s energy sector.
“Unfortunately, after a coalition was established, we can only say that Ms Merkel’s position on the Nord Stream 2 project is not that categorical,” Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yelena Zerkal said told Ukraine’s Channel 5. “She can see the positive aspects of the Nord Stream gas pipeline as Germany will have the largest gas market. And Germany will be in complete control of Europe, including Hungary and other small countries.”
This statement by a top Ukrainian diplomat shows that a failure in countering Russia’s North Stream 2 project has forced the Ukrainain leadership to make an attempt to drive a wedge into the key European powers. Ukraine has no more options but make such fierce attempts to prevent a collapse of its “energy game” with Russia.
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is scheduled to be put into operation in late 2019. It will run from the Russian coast along the Baltic Sea bed to the German shore and will connect the Russian resource base with European customers. The pipeline will not cross transit countries such as Ukraine, Belarus and Poland, running through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.