COPENHAGEN, Oct. 30 - Denmark on Wednesday gave permission for a joint German-Russian underwater gas pipeline to be laid to through its territory, in a blow to Ukraine and the United States that had fiercely opposed the project, AP reported.

The decision by the Danish Energy Agency to approve the Nord Stream 2 pipeline's route is a victory for the governments of Russia and Germany, which had staunchly supported it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the move, saying it reflected Denmark's respect for its European partners.