Nord Stream 2 decision 'bears cost for peace': Analyst
The head of the Ukraine Forum at London-based international affairs think tank Chatham House, Orysia Lutsevych, said that it was an "important step" because Russia "clearly wants to use energy as a leverage for its geostrategic outcomes."
The move came after Russia formally recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
Europe's most divisive energy project, worth $11 billion, was finished in September, but has stood idle pending certification by Germany and the European Union.
The pipeline had been set to ease the pressure on European consumers facing record energy prices amid a wider post-pandemic cost of living crisis, and on governments that have already forked out billions to try to cushion the impact on consumers.
