Head of the Ministry of Economy of Germany Robert Habeck said that the approval of the "Nord Stream - 2" would be a capitulation to Europe in the context of sanctions. This was reported by Handelsblatt.

"Approval of Nord Stream 2 would increase our dependence on Russian gas again - just the opposite of what we have been doing here for the last six months, and with it, of course, a capitulation with all the sanctions we have adopted," he said.

According to the German official, the reduction in gas supplies announced by Russian gas company Gazprom is a clear strategy of the Kremlin.

"I believe that Gazprom itself is no longer the master of its own decisions. The farce surrounding this Canadian turbine speaks volumes," he said. - Everything is politicized, the agreements are no longer being honored."

According to Habeck, the Kremlin's goal is "two strategic pressure points." Firstly, the Russian Federation wants to destroy solidarity in Europe because of high gas prices in Europe. Secondly, it is the pressure on Nord Stream 2 and lobbying for its use to supply gas to Europe.