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A worker at the starting point of the pipeline in Russia: Dispute over the start date
Photo: Peter Kovalev / imago images / ITAR-TASS
In the dispute over the completed Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, two Ukrainian state-owned companies claimed to have applied to the Federal Network Agency to participate in the approval process.
"Nord Stream 2 is not aimed at diversifying the routes for gas transport and is endangering the security of gas supplies to Europe," said the general director of the operating company for the Ukrainian gas transport system, Serhiy Makohon.
The certification of the Baltic Sea pipeline between Russia and Germany affects the commercial interests of the Ukrainians, it said.
The state gas company Naftohas Ukrajiny had already applied for participation in the certification process.
The Federal Network Agency has until the beginning of January to decide on an operating permit for the controversial pipes, which are supposed to deliver up to 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia to Germany every year.
When it goes into operation, the Ukrainian gas transport system threatens to become superfluous for transit to the EU.
This would mean that the chronically clammy Ukraine would miss out on transit fees running into the millions.
In 2020, just under 56 billion cubic meters of natural gas were transported via Ukraine.
Gas prices have reached record levels in Europe.
Critics of the Russian energy giant Gazprom suspect that it is not reacting to the increased European demand in order to force the rapid commissioning of Nord Stream 2.
The Russian side has repeatedly denied such allegations.
mic / dpa-afx
