Medvedev: Russia may file lawsuit over hindrances to Nord Stream 2

Russia may file a lawsuit over the hindrances other countries have been posing to the gas pipeline project Nord Stream 2, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said.

"If there are reasons for this, it goes without saying the issue may be taken to court," Medvedev said. "But I believe that the stance taken by the leaders of states and business leaders is far more important. They are to have their say."

Asked what court Russia might take the case to, Medvedev remarked that it might be a national court or contract jurisdiction court. "Apparently, it might be possible to go to a U.S. court, but such litigation will take much time and we have no certainty that an American court will be impartial," TASS cited Medvedev as saying.

He stressed that he had no doubts about the implementation of this project. "We need it and the Europeans, including Germany, need it, too," Medvedev explained. "Our counterparts in the Federal Republic of Germany have been saying so outright." "If they stand firm and avoid sacrificing part of their sovereignty, contrary to what sometimes happened in history, if they avoid catering to the American stance, then the pipeline will be finalized beyond doubt."

Medvedev believes that the U.S. has not changed its stance essentially and that pressure on the project would go on. "After all, economic reasons in making such decisions often outweigh pure politics," he said. "And economic reasons are of absolute value on the European side and on our side, of course." "I believe that everything will be accomplished," he concluded. "The question is when. I suspect that we’ve got to stay patient and wait a little bit more."