“Of course, Russian gas can and should remain a part of diversified energy sources in Europe. However, our goal is to support and facilitate efforts to strengthen the independence, sovereignty and energy security of European states through wider diversification, ”TASS quoted him as saying.

He noted that for these reasons, the United States continues to support the growth of energy trade with Europe, as well as its own efforts to increase the competitiveness of energy markets.

For the same reason, Menezes emphasizes, the United States, along with other allies in Europe, continues to oppose the construction of Nord Stream 2.

“Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream will reduce the opportunities for diversification (energy sources. - RT ) and will further strengthen Russia by giving it more leverage in Europe,” he said.

In May, two representatives of the US Department of Energy, one of whom was Menezes, called American LNG “free gas” and “molecules of American freedom."

On November 20, Senator Ted Cruz said that in the event of the implementation of Nord Stream 2, Russia would be able to receive billions of dollars that would be used "to fuel Russian aggression."

According to him, Washington may “stop or postpone the gas pipeline’s entry by more than a year through sanctions.

Expert Alexander Frolov commented on NSN Cruz’s words about the sanctions.