19 Aug 2018 10:35

Putin, Merkel agree Nord Stream 2 should be protected from third countries' attacks - Peskov

BERLIN. Aug 19 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have agreed that it is necessary to protect the Nord Stream 2 project from third countries' attacks, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

"This issue was addressed," Peskov told reporters, replying to a question whether the parties had discussed the United States' potential sanctions against companies participating in the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project.

"There is a general understanding that the project is fully commercially beneficial, competitive, therefore it is necessary to take measures to ensure that it would be protected from possible non-competitive and illegal attacks of third countries," he said.

"There was no objective of reaching any agreements, moreover, it is hard to say what agreements can be, but in general, [the parties] shared their understanding that the project is necessary and must be completed," Peskov said, replying to a question as to whether some agreements on countering potential sanctions against Nord Stream 2 were reached.