Germany's Russian-backed pipeline ‘justified’ despite US concern

Germany’s economy minister said he believed the Russian-backed Nord Stream 2 pipeline can go ahead while preserving Ukraine’s vital interests, but that Berlin is also in talks to diversify its energy supply with liquefied natural gas.

President Donald Trump in July accused Germany of being a “captive” of Russia due to its energy reliance and urged it to halt work on the €9.7bn Russian-led Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that is to be built in the Baltic Sea.