The implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project should be considered at a meeting in the Normandy format with representatives of Germany and France, as it is an integral part of Ukraine’s security. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel with media representatives in Berlin.
The Ukrainian Head of State noted that during a vis-a-vis meeting with Angela Merkel, they began to discuss security issues, including energy security, in detail.
"For me, this is a priority - security in the country. This is Donbas. This is Crimea. This is Nord Stream 2, which we consider a great threat, which is cleverly hidden under the guise of an economic project," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
According to him, today the Ukrainian route of gas transportation to Europe is a significant deterrent, and the launch of Nord Stream 2 poses a potential threat to security throughout the region. Evidence of this is the concentration of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border.
"I believe that the issue of Nord Stream 2 should be discussed with Germany, France and other members of the Normandy format, because it is an integral issue of security in Ukraine. And I told this frankly to Mrs. Merkel," the President noted.
Answering questions from journalists, the President of Ukraine expressed conviction that Germany really cares about energy security not only in Europe, but also in Ukraine. In particular, he reminded that at the end of 2019, Germany helped Ukraine put pressure on Russia to return the money to our country in accordance with the decision of the Stockholm Arbitration.
"Therefore, if we are talking about energy security, we must have the guarantees of the European Union, the guarantees of Germany, the guarantees of France," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
In this context, the President of Ukraine called for the issue of Nord Stream 2 to be part of the issues of the forthcoming meeting in the Normandy format.
"We have just started discussing this idea. I have not received an answer from Mrs. Merkel, but I think that we all have little time in general - very little time for our countries. Ukraine is in danger, we have a war, and, as the Chancellor said, there have been several military casualties recently again. Therefore, I believe that we need specifics because we can agree and keep (the agreements - ed.) in the future," said the President of Ukraine, expressing hope that today's meeting with the German Chancellor "will end in specifics".
