MOSCOW, April 28. /TASS/. The implementation of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project depends on whether the European Union will be able to withstand the United States’ pressure, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in an exclusive interview with TASS.

"The point is whether Europe will withstand the pressure of the Americans, who have been using every opportunity to prevent the implementation of this project and at the same time persuade the Europeans to buy US LNG," Grushko said.

"We believe that if Europe’s energy security is given top priority, there will be no doubt that this project will ensure it," the Russian deputy foreign minister stressed.

Nord Stream 2 project

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is scheduled to be put into operation in late 2019. Each of the pipeline’s two stretches will have a capacity of 27.5 bln cubic meters. The pipeline, set to run from the Russian coast along the Baltic Sea bed to the German shore, is expected to connect the Russian resource base with European customers. The total project cost of the Nord Stream 2 is estimated at €9.9 bln.