Following the completion of Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the energy ministers of Ukraine, the United States, and Germany met on Monday to discuss guarantees for Ukraine's future as a transit country. Ukraine's energy minister said the discussions focused on Ukraine's future.

Ukraine is concerned that Russia may utilize the pipeline, transporting Russian natural gas to Germany beneath the Baltic Sea while depriving the country of valuable transit fees. Several other countries are also concerned that it will increase Europe's reliance on Russian energy resources.

According to Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, the three ministers talked about "a number of steps that can be taken together in terms of real guarantees for Ukraine regarding the preservation of transit.” According to him, "we proceeded from the position that was declared and voiced by the president of Ukraine - that we cannot allow the Russian Federation to use gas as a weapon."

Ukraine is significantly opposed to an agreement between Washington and Berlin over Nord Stream 2, which will transport natural gas to Europe while skipping Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe. Ukrainian officials had advocated sanctions in the United States, but President Joe Biden's administration has refrained from doing so.

In a press conference, German Economy and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier said, " From today's perspective we shouldn't reject any suggestions, but also not create any insurmountable obstacles."

On Sunday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv to provide guarantees. Even if Ukraine's interests will be safeguarded, Zelenskiy called for additional clarity on the specific initiatives that would be implemented.