President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said collaboration between Ukraine and the U.S. is crucial to successfully oppose the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project that plans to bring Russian gas to Europe, he said late Wednesday.
During the meeting between Poroshenko with the newly appointed U.S. Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources Francis Fannon, the parties discussed enhancing their strategic bilateral relationship, particularly for energy cooperation, the office of Ukraine's president said.
The office noted that the interlocutors coordinated approaches to take practical measures in countering the construction of the pipeline.
Poroshenko expressed gratitude to the U.S. for its unwavering support and practical assistance to Ukraine in its efforts to diversify energy supply sources, reduce gas supply dependence on Russia and reform Ukraine's energy sector.
"Our coordination is very important in preventing the construction of the Nord Stream 2, as a project that not only threatens the energy sphere of Ukraine and Europe, but also directly concerns geopolitical security. And I commend an absolutely clear and consistent position of the U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. Administration, the U.S. Government. It is extremely important for us," Poroshenko stressed.
"We all speak with one voice for the United States in support of Ukraine," Fannon said.
The Nord Stream 2 will carry Russian natural gas to the EU market through the Baltic Sea.
The pipeline plans to carry 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia to Germany.
Many European countries, in addition to Ukraine, including Lithuania, Poland and Czechia, as well as the U.S object to the project claiming it is not commercially viable but is merely politically motivated to ensure Russian dominance in the European energy market.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr