United States Department of States spokesperson Ned Price reiterated US disapproval of completing the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2.

Price said, "The administration’s position remains very clear in terms of the steps taken so far on sanctions," adding, "We will certainly underscore our belief that the pipeline is a Russian geopolitical project that threatens Europe’s energy security and then certainly undermines the security of Ukraine and other Eastern countries, including Eastern flank NATO Allies and partners."

Assistant Secretary Reeker added, "Our goal obviously remains to ensure that Russia cannot use energy as a coercive tool against Ukraine or, frankly, anyone else in the region."

Earlier, US President National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that the United States is preparing a "new package of sanctions" against Russia, stressing that sanctions will continue to be imposed on Russian companies that continue to build the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Price's comments come after the Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova's statement on Monday. She said that Washington's statements regarding sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 line could not cover up the fact that Washington cannot compete.

Washington opposes the establishment of the Nord Stream 2 project to push the European Union countries to use the liquefied natural gas it produces.

The US administration is seeking, through the bill, to expand sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline extending to Europe, specifically Germany.

Washington imposed sanctions on the project in December 2019 and called for the contributing companies to stop working on the pipeline immediately.

On the other hand, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov confirmed on December 22, 2020, that the Russian natural gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 will be completed despite the US imposing sanctions on companies associated with construction work.