Russia has started using gas as a weapon in international relations, Ukraine expects a clear German position on this. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this at a briefing on Thursday.
«This is blackmail, this use as a weapon in international relations. The joint statement of the United States and Germany on Nord Stream 2 states the following: if Russia begins to use gas as a weapon in international relations, Germany will begin to take action. This is already happening, and we expect a clear German position on this,» the minister said, commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent statements.
According to Kuleba, Ukraine's position on the certification and launch of Nord Stream-2 is unchanged. In addition, he recalled that Naftogaz and OGTSU want to join the process of certification of the operator of the pipeline.
«We expect a positive decision. Of course, we heard the EU assurances, the Third Energy Package will be applied to PP2. All these elements should send Russia a clear signal that Russian gas blackmail is not just unacceptable, but will always be rebuffed by a united Europe,» the diplomat stressed.
Earlier, the Russian president said that gas supplies through the Nord Stream-2 can start the next day after receiving permission from the regulator of the Federal Republic of Germany.
«The first pipe of Nord Stream-2 is filled with gas. If the German regulator gives permission for delivery tomorrow, the day after tomorrow the supply will start, 17.5 billion cubic meters,» Putin said.
