The project to expand the "Nord Stream" gas pipeline is not of common European interest, a European Commission spokesman said today. He noted that so far no gas has been supplied through this pipeline and it does not provide diversification of energy sources, BTA reports.
If the gas pipeline starts operating, it must follow European legislation, the spokesman added. He explained that Kiev's possibilities for signing agreements with non-EU countries are limited due to Ukraine's status as a candidate country for accession.
The spokesman said that after the meeting in London, there is increasingly broad support for Ukraine and the understanding that the country must be strengthened in order to negotiate a lasting peace. The next step is an extraordinary meeting of the European Council in Brussels this week, the spokesman added.
He pointed out that the EC has no role in most defense issues, but can contribute, for example, to the common acquisition of defense capabilities. According to him, EU countries will decide individually whether to support the proposal to send a European peacekeeping force to Ukraine.
"The EU and the US are stronger together. Our differences are clear, but we will work to overcome them," the spokesman added. He did not rule out a meeting between US President Donald Trump and EC President Ursula von der Leyen, but clarified that no talks between the two have been scheduled for now.