Russia has completed the laying of a controversial gas pipeline to Europe in defiance of western sanctions, president Vladimir Putin said as he derided US attempts to prevent its construction.
Nord Stream 2, which will pump gas from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea, has been beset by financial and legal sanctions from the US and EU states that say it will increase Russia’s leverage over European energy supplies, making it a bone of contention among opponents of the Kremlin.
Putin on Friday announced that despite such roadblocks, which included sanctions that forced international contractors to abandon the project and a restructuring of its funding, the first of its two pipes was fully laid and gas supplies could begin in 10 days.
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