DLF: co-Chairman of the "St. Petersburg dialogue" reassured the Germans — "Nord stream — 2" Brussels can not stop

In the near future, Germany can not do without "Nord stream — 2", said in an interview with Deutschlandfunk co-Chairman of the "St. Petersburg dialogue" Ronald Pofalla. Brussels ' attempts to prevent the construction of the Russian gas pipeline will not succeed in the end, the former head of the German Chancellor assured.

DLF: co-Chairman of the "St. Petersburg dialogue" reassured the Germans — "Nord stream — 2" Brussels will not stopreuters

Russian gas pipeline "Nord stream — 2" is a must for Germany, said in an interview with the German radio company Deutschlandfunk co-Chairman of the "St. Petersburg dialogue", the former head of the German Chancellor Ronald Pofalla.

"If by 2038 we give up coal, then Nord stream 2 is simply necessary, because in this case we will need other energy carriers, — explained Pofalla. — And only gas is taken into account. In the near future we will need additional volumes of gas, and we can guarantee the German society their receipt — that it was environmentally and economically acceptable — only at the expense of "Nord stream -2".

The former head of the German Chancellor's office also expressed confidence that in the end, Brussels ' attempts to prevent the construction of the Russian gas pipeline will not succeed.

"The European Union can increase the requirements. Then the costs for the construction and operation of the gas pipeline will grow, but it still will not stop Nord stream -2, — said the co-Chairman of the St. Petersburg dialogue.

As for the issue of anti-Russian sanctions, according to Ronald Pofalla, it is only Moscow to convince the militias in Eastern Ukraine "not to violate" the ceasefire for several months, and the European Union could already think about the first steps to abolish penalties against Russia.

"Thus, the Russian Federation would show that it is ready to meet Ukraine and the West," — said the former head of the German Chancellor.

However, if the European Union really weakens the sanctions, and Russia does not make concessions, it will be evidence of the "total weakness" of Brussels, warned the co-Chairman of the "St. Petersburg dialogue".