Russia says US starting 'hybrid war' with pipeline sanctions, denies role in cyberattacks

Moscow has denounced US sanctions targeting a pipeline project for the transfer of Russian gas to Western Europe as "a hybrid war."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the best response Moscow could give to Washington’s unfair restrictions imposed on the Nord Stream 2 would be the completion of the important energy project.  

"The best response to these restrictions on the gas pipeline project will be its completion," Peskov said.

Germany, Russia's key partner in the Nord Stream 2 deal, is reportedly seeking to finish the energy project despite the fresh US sanctions awaiting final approval from President Donald Trump.

The pipeline estimated to cost $11.5 billion is under construction by a consortium led by Russian gas giant Gazprom, joined by Germany’s Uniper, BASF Wintershall Dea, Anglo-Dutch oil major Shell, Austria’s OMV and Engie.

Earlier this month, the US Congress approved fresh sanctions against the project. The US claims the project compromises European energy security and increases dependence on Russia.

The 745-mile twin pipeline is planned to transfer about two trillion cubic feet of gas a year from Russia to Germany via Denmark, Finland, Germany, Russia and Sweden.

Nord Stream 2 pipeline to be completed by first quarter of 2021: Putin

Nord Stream 2 is owned by Russia’s Gazprom, with investment from several European companies.

Speaking at Monday's news briefing, Peskov also responded to allegations of Russia's involvement in the recent cyberattacks reported by US officials, and said Moscow had nothing to do with the alleged attacks.

Peskov said the accusation was nothing more than a further proof of Washington's blind Russophobia.

"This talk [of cyberattacks] has nothing to do with us, because Russia is not involved in such attacks generally, including this one specifically. We state this officially and decisively. Any accusations of Russia's involvement are absolutely unfounded and are a continuation of the kind of blind Russophobia that is resorted to following any incident," Peskov said.

On Friday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he could "say pretty clearly that it was the Russians" who were involved in the recent cyberattacks on an American software company, providing network and system monitoring support to multiple US government agencies and hundreds of major US corporate clients. 

The Kremlin has in the past similarly denied US allegations of being behind cyberattacks targeting Ukraine's power grid, the 2017 French election and the 2018 Winter Olympic Games among other hacks.

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