Construction works under the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project may be finished already in August, Matthias Warnig, managing director of Nord Stream 2 AG, the project operator, said in an interview with the Handelsblatt newspaper on Sunday.

"We believe that construction works will be over by the end of August," he said, adding: "Now 98% of the pipeline has been completed. The two percent that are still missing is a part of the one pipeline. The second line is fully built," Matthias specified.

According to the project CEO, the process has already kicked off in respect of the pipeline’s first line that has already been completed. The goal is "to commission [the project] already this year," he noted.

At the same time, Warnig rejected reports of problems with the certification of works. Thus, according to him, three months will be needed to receive various certificates and undergo trials.

“After all, the pipeline built meets all licensing requirements and international industry standards,” he said.

Also, according to Matthias Warnig, the company is studying the suitability issues.

“It’s very likely that in the future, in about a decade, we’ll be able to add hydrogen to one or both lines and transport it along with natural gas,” Warnig said.

According to him, promising research has already been conducted in this direction and logistical tests are continuing.

He said he was convinced gas transit via Ukraine would continue after 2024, as the West wanted. "Transit via Ukraine will still be part of Russian gas transportation to Europe even after 2024. I have not a slightest doubt," he stressed.

It is worth noting that the existing transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expires at the end of 2024.