The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea is almost complete with just 100 kilometres left to build, Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday.
"We hope that construction works on Nord Stream 2 will be completed by the end of this year," TASS cited the minister as saying.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz earlier said that the implementation of the project will help diversify energy supply routes and thus contribute to the energy security of Europe.
The United States last month waived sanctions on the company behind the pipeline to Germany, a move opposed by critics of the project in the U.S. Congress, but welcomed by the Kremlin.
However, environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe said on Wednesday it had applied for Nord Stream 2’s construction and operating permit to be revoked on climate protection grounds, based on a ruling by Germany’s top constitutional court. The court forced Germany earlier this month to tighten its climate law after plaintiffs, including North Sea islanders fearing rising sea levels, challenged a 2019 climate law.
