The fate of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is linked to any potential conflict with Russia over Ukraine, said EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell, Reuters reported.

"Certainly, the functioning of this infrastructure will also depend on the development of the events in Ukraine and the attitude of Russia," he told reporters after a meeting of European Union defence ministers in Brest.

"You cannot imagine that we are thinking on one side of imposing sanctions (on Russia), just in case - and on the other hand to open infrastructure. It is certainly linked to the military situation in Ukraine, it's obvious."