European Commission not to make any exceptions to energy rules for Nord Stream 2 – Kuleba

The European Commission reported that they would not make exceptions to the European gas market rules for the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

That's according to Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, who spoke following a meeting with European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson.

"Security risks related to Nord Stream 2 remain. In the morning we discussed this with European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. I received assurances: the position of the European Commission is unchanged. EU rules should be applied to Nord Stream 2 without exception," said Kuleba.

Read alsoU.S. sanctions on Nord Stream 2 help Ukraine sign new gas deal with Russia – Prystaiko

"Energy security will continue to be at the center of our dialogue with the EU," the Ukrainian vice PM added.

UNIAN memo. The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction and operation of two gas pipeline branches with a total throughput capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. It should connect Russia's Ust-Lug and Germany's Greifswald.

This new pipeline bypassing Ukraine is to be built next to the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The construction of the pipeline should be completed before the end of 2019. The pipeline will be 1,220 km long.

The project is being implemented by Russia's Gazprom in alliance with European companies – ENGIE, OMV, Shell, Uniper, and Wintershall.

Ukraine stands against the construction of Nord Stream 2 as it will most likely lose its status of a gas transit country, while its potential revenue losses are estimated at US$3 billion annually. The project is also highly criticized by the U.S., Poland, and the Baltic States.