In an interview with Reuters, he recalled that the gas pipeline "is almost connected to the network", its launch is hindered only by the lack of legal permits.
Earlier, the Infratest dimap institute, commissioned by the ARD TV channel, conducted a survey among German citizens.
The results showed that the pipeline project is supported by 70% of the population in eastern Germany and 57% in the western part of the country.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said that the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline could drag on until the summer of 2022.