Analyst assesses Vucic's forecast for the soon launch of Nord Stream

Igor Yushkov, an expert of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation and a leading analyst of the National Energy Security Fund, considered it unlikely that the Nord Stream gas pipeline will be launched in a year when it goes to American investors, as predicted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

In a conversation with Lenta.Ru on Friday, December 27, he called the forecast very epathetic. "In his opinion, Vucic made the statement to show the inadequacy of the Europeans' beliefs, who claim that they will never buy gas from Russia via Nord Stream."

"He, in fact, urges not to close oneself off from any future and to be ready for what can be traded, it is not a fantasy at all," the analyst explained.

He also expressed the opinion that it is difficult to imagine Russia's cooperation with US investors on this pipeline from a political point of view.

"I think that Gazprom will not recognize the transfer of ownership of this pipeline. If some American buys it as part of the bankruptcy of the company-operator, Gazprom will not recognize this, respectively, will not pump through it," Yushkov explained.

He also doubted that the U.S. will lift sanctions on the pipeline and "will intimidate Europeans in every possible way not to turn it on."

On the same day, Yushkov said that the launch of Nord Stream would be in the interests of Europe. The issue of Nord Stream-2 operation, in his opinion, could be included in the "comprehensive deal" between the West and Russia, which was discussed by US President-elect Donald Trump, RT writes.

Earlier on December 27, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic suggested that Nord Stream will be launched and gas will flow from Russia to Europe after the pipeline is acquired by Washington. The politician predicted that fuel through the pipeline will go from Russia to Europe "no later than in a year," NSN notes.

"I dare to make a prediction: no later than a year later, Nord Stream will be owned by an American investor, and gas will flow from Russia to Europe through the pipeline," aif.ru website quoted Vucic as saying.

As the Serbian leader suggested, US President-elect Donald Trump may use blackmail methods in his conversation with European Commission (EC) head Ursula von der Leyen to conclude such a deal.

Earlier in the day, former Irish MEP Mick Wallace questioned NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about the investigation on Nord Streams following his statement on expanding the alliance's presence in the Baltic Sea. He noted that Rutte's statement on the investigation into the damage to the Cobles in the Baltic Sea confirms that NATO condemns any attacks on critical infrastructure, but failed to act when the pipeline was blown up, according to the website kp.ru.

On November 1, Trump said in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson that he was the one who "destroyed" the Nord Stream 2 pipeline after he decided to block its construction.