OREANDA-NEWS. Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a press conference following a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, stressed that Nord Stream 2 is a purely commercial project without political overtones.

He recalled that Nord Stream 2 is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe, designed to strengthen energy security on the continent and contribute to the solution of pan-European economic and environmental problems.

“I have said more than once that this is a purely commercial project and there is no political coloring here,” the president said, adding that since December last year, the gas pipeline has been technically ready for operation.

Putin also noted that Russia is ready to continue gas supplies through Ukraine even after 2024, after the expiration of the current gas transit contract, in case of demand from European partners, profitability and readiness of the Ukrainian gas transmission system.

At present, the Russian leader emphasized, Russia provides more than a third of Germany's energy needs - both in oil (34%) and natural gas (35.4%), and even in the face of high exchange quotations for gas and a shortage of its supply in In Europe, Russia continues to supply gas to German consumers on the basis of prices set by long-term contracts.