Ukraine must use the time needed to launch the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to protect its interests and energy security. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in an interview with journalists from the countries of the Normandy Four and the United States - Washington Post, Liberation, Funke Media, "Novoe Vremya" and "Novaya Gazeta".
The Head of State noted that the Nord Stream 2 is among the priorities on the agenda of his meeting with US President Joseph Biden in Washington.
"But this is a long way, even if 1% of the work remains until the full completion of Nord Stream 2. To build a gas pipeline is one thing and to launch it is another, it takes time. It is necessary to comply with international law and international energy standards. Guarantees must also be considered. We will use this time to protect our own interests," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
According to him, even after the construction of this pipeline, it is likely that it will not start functioning.
Commenting on the US and German intentions to invest $ 1 billion in Ukraine's renewable energy as compensation for the losses from the Nord Stream 2 project, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that our country would lose about $ 2 billion a year due to the termination of gas transit through its territory.
In addition, gas prices may rise for Ukrainian consumers, as less fuel will be transported through the Ukrainian pipeline.
“Nord Stream 2 is a weapon. Moscow may create a shortage of supplies in the gas market and thus raise the price. In today's world, it is not necessary to buy machine guns to damage the country. You can just use economic instruments," the Head of State said.
According to the President, Ukraine can switch to renewable energy sources in a few years, if the processes of cheap production of "green" hydrogen are established.
"Technically, we could even transport "green" hydrogen through our pipelines. But we are still at the very beginning," he concluded.