Germany reassures Ukraine over Nord Stream 2 pipeline

On her final visit to Kyiv, German Chancellor Angela Merkel offered reassurances that Ukraine would not suffer from the construction of Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline, despite speculations from Ukraine.

"Gas should not be used as a geopolitical weapon.” She added that Germany would impose new sanctions on Russia if necessary.  "It is important that Ukraine remains a transit land," she said after talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

She called for Ukraine's existing transit deal with Russia to be extended beyond its 2024 expiry, adding that Germany would support Ukraine's gradual transition to renewable energy.

The U.S. and Germany have a  deal over Nord Stream 2, which will carry gas to Europe while bypassing Ukraine. Both countries said that they are committed to helping Ukraine continue to receive transit fees once Nord Stream 2 becomes operational.

"I believe that this is a weapon. I believe that not to notice that this is a dangerous weapon, not only for Ukraine but for the whole of Europe, is wrong," Zelenskiy said in a joint press briefing.

"As for the continuation of transit through Ukraine after 2024, I think that so far these things are too general."