Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte has said that it is necessary to take into account the negative consequences of the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline not only for Ukraine but also for the EU, as this project strengthens the EU’s dependence on Russia.

She stated this at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Vilnius on Thursday, July 8, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

“We have to talk not only about the consequences of this [Nord Stream 2] project for Ukraine. It seems to me that such a project increases the European Union’s dependence on decisions that are made in that country, about which we cannot say that the rule of law exists there. So the risks related to this project remain very high,” Simonyte said.