Naftogaz’s chief executive says that Nord Stream 2 is not a priority of international discussions with Russia. repeating his callTo deter further Russian intrusions, additional sanctions will be imposed on the gas pipeline.

He made these remarks shortly after Wednesday’s meeting of NATO-Russia Council. This was the second high-level summit this week between Western and Russian officials, following high-profile talks held between U.S.-Kremlin officials Monday. Another meeting will take place in Vienna at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

There are talks to try to defuse a crisisThis was caused by the large-scale Russian troop deployment near Ukraine. But, it is unclear how to proceed and Moscow warns that this situation can be dangerous.

Yuriy Vitrenko, CEO of Naftogaz, said that he was surprised by the absence of Nord Stream 2 from discussions in Kyiv.

It is difficult to comprehend how it could go unnoticed and not be punished. This is something they must do first. They should also sanction Nord Stream 2. Vitrenko suggested that they must show Putin again the firmest stance.”

Nord Stream 1 is the best way to go if you want to have further discussions about actions if further aggression from Russia. Although I do not believe that Nord Stream 2 must be discussed first, this is a sign that the West cares.

Vitrenko stated that Russia should prepare a set of sanctions in case it invades Ukraine.

Nord Stream 2 is still not operational. designedRussian gas will be delivered directly from Russia via the Baltic Sea to Germany, bypassing Ukraine or Poland. Gazprom, Russia’s state-backed energy company, owns the $11 billion project and aims to increase Nord Stream 1’s capacity by doubling its current capacity.

Critics say the pipeline violates European climate goals. The pipeline will increase Russia’s dependency on Russian oil exports, and most importantly strengthen the economic and political control of Vladimir Putin over the region.

On Wednesday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told journalists that Russia’s attitude toward Ukraine will play an important role in the fate or the pipeline.

Sherman: “It’s difficult to see the gas flow through the pipeline, or it becoming operational from our standpoint if Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine.” Sherman saidSoon after the NATO Russia Council.

Christine Lambrecht, German Defense Minister has warned against drawing a connection between Nord Stream 2 (and the heightened tensions that exist between Russia and Ukraine).

“We need to solve this conflict, and we need to solve it in talks — that’s the opportunity that we have at the moment, and we should use it rather than draw a link to projects that have no connection to this conflict,” Lambrecht told the German broadcaster RBB on Thursday, Reuters reported.

Ukraine, an ex-Soviet Republic, is somewhat of a frontier in Europe between Russia and Russia. has ambitions to join the EUAnd possibly even becoming a NATO member.

Russia strongly opposes the idea. Moscow has requested that the U.S. stop further Eastward expansions of NATO. It also demanded that former Soviet states be prevented from joining the alliance.

In 2014, Kyiv lost all contact with Russia after Moscow annexed Crimea to Ukraine. They also supported proRussian separatists living in Ukraine’s eastern Donbass.

On Thursday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmedThe group has an “open door policy”, and each country is free to make its security arrangements. After a serious exchange on Ukraine, he said that both NATO and Russia were ready to resume negotiations.

Vitrenko said that Russian intrusions into Ukraine were “rather possible”, adding that he still believed the West would resist any aggression.

Vitrenko stated, “I am not in a place to teach the U.S government how to conduct again its international negotiations.” Vitrenko was asked if American officials should take a harder line than their Russian counterparts.

He said that his personal experience with Putin was that he can do what is right if he’s willing to face Russia. So, Putin understands only strong positions during negotiations. If you don’t want to prove that your position is strong, it will be difficult for them to accept you. [and]If you don’t prepare well in advance you are unlikely to beat Putin.”

— CNBC’s Holly Ellyatt contributed to this report.