Polish Prime Minister: 'Nord Stream 2' is a payment for weapons to Russia in European currency

Installation of gas pipeline in the Nord Stream 2 project. Photo: Ria Novosti

"Nord Stream 2" is a payment for Russian weapons and defense security with our (European) money" - Polish Prime Minister answered in an interview with the Financial Times.

Polish politicians expressed regret that Russia's Nord Stream 2 project is supported by Europe.

Prime Minister Mateusz Maraveski also voiced his opposition, calling President Emmanuel Macron's statement "unthinkable" when the French leader recognized Russia's position - NATO's enemy - on the international stage.

"President Macron is in a different position, because he does not feel the hot breath of the 'Russian bear' on his neck" - Polish Prime Minister described Russia's pressure on neighboring countries.

The Polish Prime Minister added that he had once welcomed holding a dialogue with Russia in a democratic and peaceful manner, but in his view, now "Russia has become aggressive and unfriendly".

"Nord Stream 2" is a gas pipeline project from the Russian coast through the Baltic Sea to Germany, worth 9.5 billion euros, with a pipeline length of 1,200 km, capable of transporting 55 billion m³gas to Europe.

Last week, Denmark finally granted permission to lay a gas pipeline through its exclusive economic zone, putting the entire project on track to be operational by the end of 2019.

This project has met with active opposition from Kiev, which faces the risk of losing revenue from transiting Russian gas through Ukraine. In Europe, some countries such as Poland, Latvia, Lithuania also expressed negative views on this project.

Meanwhile, some countries such as Germany emphasize the importance of "Nord Stream 2" as a commercial project. Norway and Austria also actively support the construction of the pipeline, and see it as an opportunity to strengthen European energy security.