OREANDA-NEWS. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that the gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 will be completed, taking into account the support of European authorities and companies. According to the politician, the US sanctions against the project are nothing but open protectionism aimed at promoting American liquefied natural gas on the European market.

The sanctions threat, which is not a market measure, although the USA looks like a country supporting competition, uses tools that are by no means market-based, Novak said in an interview with RBC news agency. He noted that the United States opposes the gas pipeline primarily because of the need to promote its own products.

“As for the countries that are interested in the implementation of this project, European countries and companies, they support the project. And I am sure that with this support it will be implemented,” the Deputy Prime Minister resumed. He hopes that the construction will be completed soon. At the same time, Novak did not name the exact dates.