The Turkish Stream gas pipeline project will be implemented on time, regardless of the new US law that expands sanctions against Moscow, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday. Novak explained that the contracts concerning the construction of the gas pipeline have been concluded and the construction was underway, Sputnik reported. "We believe that the project will be implemented regardless of what normative legal acts or laws are adopted," he said in an interview with Rossiya-24 television. Novak noted that Russia is discussing the possibility of gas supplies through the Turkish Stream pipeline with Bulgaria, Greece and Italy. The minister added that there was "much uncertainty" regarding the new US sanctions that target Russia's energy industry. On August 2, US President Donald Trump signed a bill imposing sweeping sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea. In particular, the anti-Russia sanctions target the country's defense and economic sectors, restrict dealings with Russian banks and energy companies, as well as counteract the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
