Russian President Vladimir Putin is investing resources in the gas pipeline bypassing Ukraine in order to be able to launch a full-scale aggression. This political observer Vitaly Portnikov said on the air UKRLIFE. TV.
"If you imagine that the RF with Putin, or without him, started a big war for the occupation of Ukraine. , This will lead to the end of Europe's energy supply. It is clear that the real such a big war - the pipeline accidentally or specifically breaks through in any place and this ends the gas delivery, and Europe remains without raw materials. To decide on such a war, Putin needs Ukraine's territory not to be strategically important from the energy point of view, "he explained..
The journalist explained that roundabout ways are being built in order to be able to start a big war.
"Russia is not that even preparing for a big war. And he wants to leave for himself the possibility of holding a great war in Eastern Europe without prejudice to his future and for the future of his energy companies. To ensure that its troops could travel quite smoothly through Ukrainian territory from Donetsk to Uzhgorod, so that aviation could be bombed by Ukrainian cities, so that there could be tanks, massive destruction of infrastructure. And that this does not affect the energy supply of Europe ", he stressed..
According to Portnikov, Germany is also interested in a bypass pipe, so that in case of a big war its economy is not affected.
"The European Union should not have the illusion that the war against us is a war and against the rest of Europe. There must be an understanding that the war against Ukraine is a war against Germany, France, Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain - all these countries. These countries should clearly understand that the continuation of the war against us, if it goes beyond the borders of the Donbass, it will bring down the German economy, reduce the ability of Germany to help other countries of Southern Europe. That Italy, Portugal and Spain will suffer no less economically than we, "he said..
The journalist added that economically bypassing gas pipelines are unprofitable, and their construction is justified by political motives.
"The main goal of the Nord Stream - 2" is to untie Vladimir Putin's hands. He has been building these roundabout routes for years. Do you think he's a fanatic, or something, why does he spend millions of dollars? To untie one's hands to be able to fight. Because this is the goal that the Russian foreign policy leadership puts on since August 24, 1991, before it simply did not have the strength, "he concluded..
In December 2015, European Council President Donald Tusk said that the project of the second stage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline does not comply with the EU energy rules (the Third Energy Package) and undermines Ukraine's role as a gas transit.
In March 2016, eight EU countries signed an appeal to the European Commission with a protest against the gas pipeline project.
German Foreign Minister Zigmar Gabriel said that, despite the construction of the "Nord Stream 2", Russia must keep gas supplies through the territory of Ukraine.