BRUSSELS, Dec 12 – The European Parliament on Wednesday approved resolution that calls for cancellation of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project amid concerns of growing energy dependence on Moscow.

The 433-105 vote is a major setback for Russia, which has invested heavily to promote the project and, jointly with several European companies, has already started building the pipeline.

The resolution adds pressure on Germany, one of the biggest political supporters of the pipeline. Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Slovakia oppose the pipeline.

Ukraine, which operates a major route for Russian gas shipments to Europe, has persistently opposed construction of Nord Stream 2 amid fears it would economically weaken the country.

With Ukraine playing a crucial role in the European energy supply network, “MEPs condemn the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline which bypasses Ukraine, as it is a political project that poses a threat to European energy security,” the press service of European Parliament said in a statement. “They therefore call for it to be cancelled.”

MEPs praised Ukraine for good cooperation in the energy sector and its achievements in the areas of energy efficiency and renewables, while pointing out the need to continue to reform, particularly in the gas and electricity market.

The vote comes a day after a senior U.S. official has warned that Russia has been seeking to boost its power in Europe with the construction of Nord Stream 2.

Francis Fannon, the U.S. assistant secretary for energy resources at the State Department, said “Through Nord Stream 2, Russia seeks to increase its leverage of the West while severing Ukraine from Europe."

The pipeline has been opposed both by President Donald Trump, a Republican, and his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama as a political tool for Russia to consolidate power over Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Nord Stream 2, a consortium of Russia's state-controlled Gazprom and five European companies, is purely economic and not directed against other countries. Russian gas could continue to go through Ukraine if the pipeline is completed, Putin has said.

Critics of Nord Stream 2 say it could increase Russia's ability to manipulate European energy markets.

Germany's foreign minister, Heiko Maas, said this month that Berlin will not withdraw its political support for Nord Stream 2 and that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had secured a pledge from Putin in August allowing gas shipments across Ukraine's territory. (tl/ez)