Putin: Launch of Nord Stream 2 will lower gas prices in Europe

LAST UPDATE: 17.18

The start of gas exports through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will lead to lower gas prices in Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, according to domestic news agencies, as reported by Reuters.

Nord Stream 2, which ended in September, is facing opposition from the United States and several countries, including Poland and Ukraine, which say it will increase Russia’s influence in Europe.

“Regarding Nord Stream-2, yes, I agree with your estimates and this is nonsense for those who do not have the ability to operate in this system, because the additional volumes of natural gas volumes in the European market would undoubtedly reduce the “The price of gas in the stock market, in spot markets,” said the Russian president at a joint meeting of the State Council and the Council on Science and Education, commenting on the speech of the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Vladimir Zhirinovsky. Europe “they do not open Nord Stream 2 themselves and now they will start to freeze”. “On their own, they are worsening their position,” Zirinovsky said.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, according to Interfax, that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project connecting Russia to Europe had become a bargaining chip in a game played by the United States and the European Union.

It should be noted that Nord Stream 2 is still awaiting the approval of the regulatory authorities from Berlin and the European Union.

Putin also said that Poland had sidelined Russia from the management of the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline, which resulted in a spike in gas prices, Interfax news agency reported.