Merkel: Germany won't Become Dependent on Russia for Gas due to Nord Stream 2

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that neither Germany nor EU will not become dependent on Russia for gas due to Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. During the meeting of the Visegrad Four in Bratislava the Chancellor reminded colleagues from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia about the importance of diversifying gas routes. “Are we becoming dependent on Russia because of this second gas pipeline? I say “no” if we simultaneously diversify”, Reuters quotes Merkel. Merkel also stressed that it was crucial to ensure Ukraine remained a transit country for gas from Russia. Earlier it was reported that the conflict with Germany on the implementation of the project North Stream 2 influenced the decision of French President Emmanuel Macron to refuse to visit the Munich Security Conference. France has expressed its intention to support the revision of the EU gas directive, Berlin strongly opposes. Rosbalt