“Today, much of the criticism of the pipeline is motivated by self-interest.

After all, the US wants to sell its expensive LNG in Europe, ”Roth told Handelsblatt.

According to him, the gas pipeline issue is controversial even among Germany's partners.

Roth also called on Russia to guarantee the continuation of gas transit through Ukraine after 2024.

Earlier, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said at a press conference following a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline poses a threat to energy and national security for many countries of the Euro-Atlantic community.