Nord Stream pipeline ‘may have security implications’
Boris Johnson has warned that the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline could have "significant security implications" for Ukraine as Germany's energy regulator suspended approval.
The Prime Minister has warned European leaders that there is a choice "shortly coming" between "mainlining" Russian fossil fuels or sticking up for Ukraine.
Downing Street stopped short of praising the German network regulator which suspended the approval process for the controversial pipeline because of an issue under German law.
But Mr Johnson "underlined" the UK'S opposition to the project to his Cabinet last Wednesday, according to No 10, and said it "would have significant security implications for the region".
Concerns over the project, which would bypass Poland and Ukraine by transporting natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, have been renewed amid signs of Russian aggression on the border with Ukraine.
With Defence Secretary Ben Wallace visiting Ukraine, Downing Street said the Government will continue to speak to European allies and Ukraine over the pipeline.
"Ukraine currently hosts the largest existing pipeline for Russian gas and transit fees have historically made up a large proportion of their GDP so Nord Stream 2 would divert supplies from the Ukraine that would have significant consequences for its economy," the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.
"And it could also have significant security implications and the transit of Russian gas through the Ukraine is largely seen as a deterrent against further Russian aggression."
The Kremlin has insisted it is not preparing to invade Ukraine after the Ukrainian defence ministry reported that about 90,000 Russian troops were massing near their shared border.
There are also concerns that Belarus's authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Russia's Vladimir Putin, was attempting to destabilise the European Union.
Mr Johnson accused Belarus of having "contrived" a migrant crisis at the border with Poland, as Brussels said Mr Lukashenko deliberately encouraged the vulnerable individuals to breach its borders in retaliation for sanctions the EU has imposed over his repressive rule.
In a speech to business leaders and diplomats at the Lord Mayor's Banquet in London on Monday, the Prime Minister said: "And we hope, I hope, that others may recognise, other European countries may recognise, that a choice is shortly coming, between mainlining ever more Russian hydrocarbons in giant new pipelines, and sticking up for Ukraine and championing the cause of peace and stability - let me put it that way."
Asked if Mr Johnson welcomes the German move, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: "We've long set out our opposition to Nord Stream 2 and the risks it can pose to security in the region. We will continue to speak to our European partners and indeed Ukraine on this issue."