Joint Statement by Ukraine and Poland on Nord Stream 2

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Zbigniew Rau expressed the stance of their countries on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

“The decision to build Nord Stream 2 made in 2015 mere months after Russia’s invasion and illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory, created security, credibility, and political crisis in Europe. Currently, this crisis is significantly deepened by the resignation from attempts to stop the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. This decision has created political, military, and energy threat for Ukraine and Central Europe, while increasing Russia’s potential to destabilise the security situation in Europe, perpetuating divisions among NATO and European Union member states,” the ministers stressed.

They state that each credible attempt to cover the security deficit must take into account its negative consequences in three areas: political, military, and energy. Such an attempt shall also have a democratic dimension, that assumes talks with governments of the countries most affected by the negative effects of Nord Stream 2 at the stage of reaching an agreement.

Unfortunately, the hitherto proposals to cover the resulting security deficit cannot be considered sufficient to effectively limit the threats created by Nord Stream 2. The diplomats call on the United States and Germany to adequately address the security crisis in our region that Russia is the only beneficiary to.

The foreign ministers note that Ukraine and Poland will work together with their allies and partners to oppose Nord Stream 2 until solutions are developed to address the security crisis created by Nord Stream 2, to provide support to countries aspiring to membership in Western democratic institutions, and to reduce threats to peace and energy security.

Natalia Tolub