Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told RBC media on Wednesday (December 29) that Russia believes that the Beixi No. 2 natural gas pipeline will receive the necessary certifications and will eventually begin work.
The construction of this pipeline from Russia to Germany extends from Russia to Germany on the seabed of the Baltic Sea and bypasses Ukraine. It was completed in September, but it was idle while waiting for approval from the regulatory authorities in Berlin and Brussels.
As tensions between Russia and the West have increased and the project has become increasingly politicized, the West fears that Moscow may attack Ukraine to prevent it from establishing a close relationship with NATO. Russia denies that it harbors such a plan.
The CEO of Ukrainian national energy company Naftogaz Yuriy Vitrenko said last month that he hopes the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline will not go online, saying it does not comply with European law.
When asked whether Russia has a “Plan B” in case Beixi 2 is not certified, Novak said: “We do not consider such an option. We believe it will be launched on time and ready for certification.”
The certification is expected to be completed no earlier than the end of the first half of 2022.
He said that Russia hopes that it will not make new requirements for the project.
Novak also stated that Russia is ready to increase natural gas exports to Europe. Natural gas prices have soared under the conditions of increased demand and insufficient supply, but under long-term contracts-European companies evaded this arrangement in favor of short-term spot transactions.
The German government seems to have accepted that Beixi 2 will be cancelled to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine and imposing new sanctions on Russia.
(Editing by Georgi Getoff)
