MOSCOW, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Washington is using the case of the alleged poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to block the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project designed to ship Russian natural gas to Europe, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin said Tuesday.
"It is extremely important for Washington to secure the closure of this project, which threatens the White House's plans to increase the supply of U.S. liquefied natural gas to Europe," Naryshkin said in a statement.
He said the proof of the American plot was evidenced by calls of U.S. President Donald Trump to the German leadership to withdraw from the project, statements by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on listing the project in the new version of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, and threats of several Republican senators to the leadership of the German port of Mukran.
On top of it, Washington has launched a campaign of pressure on European countries through various confidential channels to block the construction of the project, Naryshkin said.
According to Naryshkin, most Europeans understand that abandoning the project will cause them significant damage.
"Moreover, a cold winter is expected and a lot of gas will be required," he added.