Ukraine looks to last hope as US imposes sanctions on 'Nord Stream 2'

Workers install a gas pipeline under the Nord Stream 2 project. Photo: AP

According to the politician, Kiev did not object to the Danish Government's decision to allow the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to pass through the continental shelf.

"In fact, Kiev has clearly realized that it cannot win in convincing Denmark to reject the project. Therefore, Ukraine's hope now is US sanctions against this project" - Senator Alexei Pushkov shared on Twitter.

In another development, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Elena Zerkal announced that Kiev is waiting for US sanctions against "Nord Stream 2" to hinder the implementation of the project.

Nord Stream 2 is a project consisting of two large gas pipelines, with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year, running from Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. The pipeline is located in the territorial waters or in the exclusive economic zones of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.

Once operational, Nord Stream 2 will bring Moscow billions of dollars in annual profits, especially affirming Russia's importance and influence on Europe's energy security. Ukraine's economy will also be severely hit by being deprived of revenue from Russian gas transit through Kiev.

In fact, the US is blocking the Nord Stream 2 project because Washington wants to supply liquefied natural gas to Europe. Recently, the US Congress planned to introduce a package of sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline using the 2020 defense budget. However, this plan has not yet received consensus between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Observers say that Washington will not give up its efforts to attack Nord Stream 2, but this will not bring any expected results.