Future head of European Commission comments on Nord Stream 2

Future head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen believes that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline may cause Europe's over-dependence on Russian energy.

Wading into a debate about the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which will allow Russia to bypass Ukraine in transporting gas to Europe, she warned in her Bild interview of "the danger of over-dependence on Russian energy."

In a separate interview with the Die Welt newspaper, von der Leyen vowed to take a tough stance with Russia and maintain sanctions over Moscow’s role in eastern Ukraine.

"The Kremlin does not forgive weakness. From a position of strength, we should stick to the Russia sanctions," Reuters cited von der Leyen as saying.

She added that the EU should, in parallel, seek dialogue with Moscow.