Kremlin Blasts Possible Sanctions on Nord Stream 2 as Unfair Competition

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Nord Stream 2 is a commercial project, and linking it to security is "absurd", this once again confirms that this is an attempt at unfair competition, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, commenting on possible US sanctions against the Russian-led project.

"Nord Stream [2] is generally a commercial project, and linking [it]... with security issues in Europe is absurd. This is absurd. This is just another confirmation of what is behind all this. Attempts to pressure Russia, attempts at the unfair economic competition", Peskov told reporters.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is capable of pumping up to 55 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Russia to Europe every year. Its construction was completed in September 2021, but the project is yet to be approved by German regulators.

Washington imposed a number of sanctions on the project, claiming it poses a danger to European security, which Moscow and Berlin both rejected.

Russia-US Ties

Peskov also addressed the growing tensions, as lawmakers in Washington threatened to impose new sanctions against Moscow despite an attempt to mend ties during the recent Russia-US, and Russia-NATO summits.

He stressed there is no point in putting more pressure on Russia, and noted that Moscow is determined to continue its dialogue with the US.

"For both the first and second rounds, as far as we understand, we can still expect some specific written response in the coming days", the spokesman added.

On Wednesday, Democratic senators in the US presented a new Russia sanctions bill that would bring with it "severe costs" to the Russian economy in the event of an invasion of Ukraine.