OREANDA-NEWS. Ukraine is creating a working group to oppose the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, it will include members of the government, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing letters from Prime Minister Denis Shmygal and head of the President's office Andriy Yermak.

"In particular, in a letter to the Prime Minister, Yermak, at the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelensky, asks to agree on the inclusion of Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishina and Minister of Justice Denis Malyusuk in the working group on the development of these proposals. In a response letter, Shmyhal agreed on their inclusion, as well as the inclusion of Energy Minister German Galushchenko It is planned to create a whole communication platform for discussion and development of proposals regarding measures to neutralize threats that may appear after the launch of Nord Stream 2, the agency writes.

Earlier, Germany and the United States made a joint message in which they reported on the measures they are going to take to support Ukraine, Europe's energy security and overall climate protection. The German-American statement contained several conditions for the unhindered launch of Nord Stream 2. For example, representatives of the United States and Germany demanded to continue the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine after 2024 "in the interests of Ukraine and Europe." For its part, Berlin is committed to using all possible tools to help extend the transit of gas from Russia through Ukraine for up to 10 years. To this end, Berlin has appointed a special envoy to support these negotiations, which are going to be held no later than September 1, 2021. Germany also promised to seek sanctions against Russia if it uses energy as a weapon against European countries.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously appealed to US President Joe Biden with a request to intervene once again in the situation with the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Zelenskiy believes that the pipeline can be used by Russia as a weapon, creating a supply shortage in the gas market, which will lead to an increase in prices.