The US government reiterated the possibility of stopping the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline—the pipeline carrying natural gas from Russia to Europe—in the event of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, The Times Hub reported.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke on NBC television. “If Russia invades Ukraine, the Nord Stream 2 project will one way or another will not advance. And Russia understands that we are acting in coordination with partners,” Sullivan said.

When asked if German Chancellor Olaf Scholz would announce measures against the gas pipeline during his upcoming visit to Washington on Monday, Jake Sullivan replied that it would be up to the German chancellor to announce Berlin's intentions.

Germany's commitment to launching the pipeline, through which gas will flow to Western Europe under the Baltic Sea, has partly raised doubts about the future strength of transatlantic ties, writes dpa.

The United States and a number of Eastern European countries, including Ukraine, criticize the project, calling it a means of Russia's political pressure on Europe. At the same time, the administration of the current American President Joe Biden is currently opposed to sanctions so as not to complicate relations with Germany. But in the event of a Russian invasion, the situation may change, as Ned Price, a spokesman for the US State Department, recently spoke about.

Moscow categorically denies plans to invade the territory of a neighboring state.

The United States does not rule out that the operation could begin as early as February. Biden adviser Sullivan said Sunday that Russia could move to hostilities on Ukrainian territory “in any of the coming days or two weeks from now.” Russian actions could include the annexation of Donbas, cyberattacks, or a full-scale invasion, Sullivan added.