Nord Stream 2: First section of pipeline is complete, Putin says

President Vladimir Putin on Friday announced the completion of work on the first line of the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline across the Baltic Sea between Russia and Germany.

“Today … the pipe-laying work of the first Nord Stream 2 line was successfully finished. Work on the second line is ongoing,” Putin said, noting that Russia was now ready to begin filling the line with gas.

The Russian president underscored his country’s willingness to participate in more such collaborations with EU nations in the future.

Putin also said that the idea that Russia is not concerned with the environment is a “myth,” promising to cut emissions at a pace faster than Europe, “In the next 30 years, the accumulated volume of net greenhouse gas emissions should be lower than in Europe.” The Russian leader said that he had ordered his government to present plans for doing so by this fall.