Russia continues talks with EC to minimize gas directive's impact on Gazprom pipelines, restrictions on use MOSCOW. April 13 (Interfax) - Gazprom carried out work to complete the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline amid increased sanctions pressure from the United States last year in order to ensure gas supplies to European customers, Russia's Energy Ministry said in a report on its results and main areas of activity in 2020. "In order to provide assistance in the implementation of the project, the Energy Ministry of Russia continued cooperation with the authorized bodies of the European Commission and a number of countries of the European Union, including on the search for a solution on lifting restrictions in regard to the Russian company's use of only 50% of the capacity of the OPAL gas pipeline, as well as discussion of joint actions to minimize the negative consequences for this project from the passage of amendments to the European Union's 'gas directive,'" the report said.