Naftohaz: We will demand sanctions on Nord Stream 2 operator

"We carefully read a joint statement from the American administration and the German government. We can see that these problems and challenges that are ahead of Ukraine primarily in terms of security remain, at least for now, unanswered," Witrenko stated during a press conference in Washington.

"Therefore, we continue to explain that as long as Russia (Wladimir) Putin uses gas as a geopolitical weapon, US sanctions without exceptions are to be applied especially to Nord Stream AG and other key participants in this project," he added.

There are instruments that can stop NS2 – he pointed out. "To make this pipeline work, it must be an operator – it is to be certified according to European rules. European companies then order power from this operator and can receive gas through the pipeline. So if the gas pipeline operator is subject to sanctions – I stress again, 100 percent of Nord Stream AG belongs to Gazprom, so it is perfectly normal to impose sanctions on such an operator, which is actually a geopolitical weapon in Russia's hands – if sanctions are imposed on that operator, European companies will not order power (...)" he stressed.

He also informed that recent talks showed considerable support for Ukraine's position among US Senators and Congressmen.

"They share our concern that this project is a real threat to Ukraine's security (...), that this project brings corruption to Europe, divides Europe" he continued. This, in turn, poses a threat to the whole world order – he assessed.

According to him, American senators and congressmen are ready to support Ukraine on its path to combating this project.

The question of the dangers that the launch of NS2 will bring will be discussed during the August visit of President Volodymyr Zelenski to the White House," he informed.

Written by Natalia Dziurdzińska/PAP