Germany's economy ministry on Monday dismissed any possibility of restarting Russian gas supplies via the partially damaged Nord Stream 2 pipeline, emphasising its commitment to energy independence from Moscow. 

The statement followed a Financial Times report detailing lobbying efforts by a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin to revive the $11 billion project.

"Independence from Russian gas is of strategic importance to the German government in terms of security policy, and it is sticking to it," the ministry said in a statement. It explicitly denied any ongoing talks with Russia regarding a "possible pipeline-based supply of Russian gas" through Nord Stream 2.

Germany, which historically relied heavily on Russian gas, has shifted its energy sources since the Ukraine war, with Norway now its primary supplier.

Estonia, a NATO and EU ally, strongly condemned any attempt to reactivate Nord Stream 2. "The right place for Nord Stream 2 is at the bottom of the sea," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in a statement, emphasising the potential threat to European energy security.

Estonia, along with fellow Baltic states Lithuania and Latvia, recently completed a transition to the EU's electricity system, further distancing themselves from Russian energy dependence.

Nord Stream 2, owned by Russia's Gazprom, was halted in 2022 after Russia recognised breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. In September 2022, explosions damaged one of the pipeline's two lines, which had been co-funded by companies including Shell, Wintershall Dea, Uniper, Engie, and OMV.

A Swiss court extended the deadline for Nord Stream 2 to restructure its debt to May 9, with bankruptcy looming if the deadline is missed. 

A German government spokesperson reiterated that the pipeline is not certified and therefore cannot be used, adding that certification is under the economy ministry's jurisdiction.