Ukraine, Poland PMs call on Germany not to launch Nord Stream 2

"Amid increasing escalation, possible aggression, which we have been facing for eight years, we expect responsible attitude from our German partners, in particular.

Of course, we do not expect the exchange of security issues for economic issues… We consider Nord Stream 2 to be a hybrid energy weapon of Russia and call on the entire civilized world, our German partners, to take all possible measures to prevent the use of this hybrid weapon against Ukraine, Poland, the European Union," Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal made a corresponding statement after announcing a joint press statement with Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He added that the risks of using such hybrid weapons were clear to everyone, including most countries. And "it is necessary that Germany has a responsible attitude."

Ukraine has been facing Russian aggression and almost daily hybrid attacks in the form of cyberattacks, internal destabilization, and economic destabilization, has its territories occupied for eight years now, the PM noted.

At the same time, the Ukrainian army is a reliable shield for Ukrainian society and for Europe, Ukraine's partners, the Head of Government stressed.

In addition, Shmyhal thanked Poland for its repeated support of Ukraine and stressed that during the conversation with Morawiecki, they discussed primarily diplomatic ways to resolve the escalation on the part of Russia.

In turn, Poland’s PM stated that it was impossible to express solidarity with Ukraine with one hand and sign the certification documents for Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline with the other.

"Dear partners, it is impossible to express solidarity with Ukraine with one hand and to sign Nord Stream 2 certification documents with the other hand. That's not right," he said, calling the pipeline a geopolitical threat.

The heads of government of Poland and Ukraine also jointly appealed to Germany not to launch the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Otherwise, it would become an element of Russia’s blackmail against Europe.

As reported, Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki arrived in Kyiv on February 1. This is his first visit to Ukraine at the post of Prime Minister, which he has held since December 2017. Last autumn, the prime ministers of Ukraine and Poland met at the Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland.

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