Speaking about the discussions about blocking the project due to the situation around Navalny, he said that he agreed with the federal president, who also opposed the shutdown of Nord Stream 2.

For us in Austria, Nord Stream 2 is an economic project, still a positive project, because we are of the opinion that the more diversification, the better when we can use different routes for obtaining or transporting energy to Europe, ” said Kurz at a news conference following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

At the same time, he condemned what happened to Navalny, stressing the need to investigate and bring those responsible to justice.

Earlier, Zelensky, at a briefing with Kurz, called Nord Stream 2 a challenge to the energy security of all of Europe. 

In addition, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen noted that he does not see any connection between the Nord Stream 2 project and the situation around Navalny.