KYIV, Aug 20 – President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that as long as Nord Stream 2 is not launched, Ukraine will actively negotiate to protect its interests, the presidential press service said on Thursday.

"To build a gas pipeline is one thing and to launch it is another, it takes time. It is necessary to comply with international law and international energy standards. Guarantees must also be considered. We will use this time to protect our own interests," Zelensky said in an interview with journalists from Washington Post, Liberation, Funke Media, Novoe Vremya and Novaya Gazeta.