“The second branch is just over 50 km away,” Zele is quoted as saying by TASS.
Earlier, Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced the completion of pipe-laying for the first string of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Seele also announced that the pipeline will be completed this year.
US President Joe Biden admitted that the construction of this gas pipeline is nearing completion and the imposition of sanctions against the project will be counterproductive for relations with Europe.