The German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur, BNetzA) announced on Tuesday the suspension of the approval procedure for Nord Stream 2, the controversial gas pipeline between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea, citing a legal obstacle, report AFP, DPA and EFE.

“After a thorough examination of the documentation, the Bundesnetzagentur concluded that it is not possible to certify the operator of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline unless this company is organized in a legal form in accordance with German law,” BNetzA said in a statement quoted by Agerpres.

The certification of Nord Stream 2, controlled by the Russian gas giant Gazprom, is one of the last steps before the pipeline is put into operation.

Without this approval, the pipeline carrying Russian natural gas directly to Western Europe through Germany, without going through Ukraine, cannot start operating for fear of sanctions.

The head of the Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz Yuri Vitrenko welcomed the decision of the German regulatory agency. Reuters recalls that Ukraine has been successful in becoming part of the consultation process to certify the pipeline.