Germany halts Nord Stream 2 project

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stopped the NordStream 2 gas pipeline project on Tuesday after Russia formally recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.

"The situation today is fundamentally different and therefore, in light of recent events, we must also reassess this situation ... with regard to NordStream 2,” Scholz said during a press conference.

"This sounds technical, but it is the necessary administrative step so that no certification of the pipeline can now take place," he added. "And without this certification, NordStream 2 cannot go into operation."

NordStream 2 was finished in September but has not gone into operation since its certification by Germany was pending. The project was meant to increase the gas flowing from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, which would make it bypass Ukraine.

Scholaz was speaking at a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.

“Now it is down to the international community to respond to this unilateral, unjustified and incomprehensible action taken by the Russian president. We need to coordinate our approach … in order to send a clear signal to Moscow that activities of this kind cannot remain without consequences,” Scholaz said.

“I welcome Germany’s move to suspend the certification of NordStream 2. This is a morally, politically and practically correct step in the current circumstances," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted. “True leadership means tough decisions in difficult times. Germany's move proves just that.”