President: Only US can prevent Nord Stream 2 from being commissioned

03.06.2021 09:40

Ukrinform

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky discussed counteraction to the Nord Stream 2 project implementation with the delegation of the U.S. Congress at a meeting in Kyiv on June 2.

"Only the United States and President Biden's administration can prevent Nord Stream 2 from being completed and commissioned. Nord Stream 2 is not just the energy security that all diplomats and politicians talk about, it is a separate powerful weapon that is being given to the Russian Federation today. And then Europe asks how you can protect yourself from Russia. The answer is very simple – do not give weapons to the enemy," Zelensky stressed, the President’s press service informs.

As the Head of State noted, Ukraine is currently defending Europe and European values on the eastern border, and this requires a strong and well-supplied army.

“Nord Stream 2 will disconnect Ukraine from gas supplies, which means ‘disconnecting’ us from at least $3 billion a year… We will not be able to pay for the Ukrainian army,” he added.

Zelensky also emphasized that understanding of all the threats posed by Nord Stream 2 was especially relevant on the eve of U.S. President Joe Biden's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine is ready to provide the American party with full information on this issue.

Another potential threat that could strengthen Russia's position in Europe, according to the President, is the failure to provide Ukraine with a clear signal and specific terms for obtaining a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP).

The President also expressed hope that the United States would be represented at the highest level during the Crimean Platform summit.

"We would like the United States to support us in the issue of the de-occupation of Crimea at the highest level with its presence at this first important summit on August 23," Zelensky said.