OREANDA-NEWS. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, December 24, called it stupidity to prevent the launch of Nord Stream 2 (SP-2). According to him, the use of the gas pipeline can reduce the price of gas in Europe.

“Regarding Nord Stream 2, yes, I agree with your assessments, this is also stupid for those who do not allow this system to work, because additional gas supplies to the European market would certainly lower the price on the exchange, by spot, "- said Putin at a joint meeting of the State Council and the Council for Science and Education.

So the head of state commented on the report of the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who said that the European authorities "are doing worse to themselves" by preventing the launch of the SP-2.

Earlier that day, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that the certification process for Nord Stream 2 could be completed in mid-2022. According to him, the reason for the delay in the launch of the gas pipeline is the politicization of the project.

Earlier, on December 22, German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock said in an interview with Die Zeit that, together with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, they had developed a common position on the launch of SP-2. This process should proceed “on the basis of European legislation,” Berbock said.

On December 18, German Minister of Economy and Climate Problems Robert Habek called the JV-2 project a geopolitical mistake, and also reminded that the pipeline must comply with the rule of separation of companies. Its meaning is that companies that extract fuel do not have the right to transport it. These two processes require different firms, the politician specified.

On December 13, Berbock clarified her words about the "inconsistency with the EU law" of the gas pipeline, recalling that she had in mind the decision of the EU regulator made back in November.