Berlin  - Russia's ambassador in Germany, Vladimir Kotenyev, affirmed Friday that the Nord Stream gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea would be built.

Speaking two days after Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Moscow would be just as ready to export its natural gas by ship, the ambassador said on ARD public television that Russia remained committed to the pipe.

"As far as Russia is concerned, this means a stable supply of gas to Europe," he said.

"Mr Putin was not making any threat," he added.

The controversy blew up as the Russians were about to meet with European Union leaders in Nice, France.

The EU is demanding that Russia commit to reliable supplies, and promise not to turn off the tap to exert pressure on the West.

Gernot Erler, a state secretary at the German Foreign Ministry, said early Friday on WDR 5 radio that the EU had a strong interest in Russia signing up to rules about energy sales.

Such assurances should be a key part of an EU partnership accord with Russia.

The Russians for their part have been annoyed at the drawn-out regulatory reviews for the pipeline project, especially by Sweden.

Large piles of steel pipe have already been stockpiled on the German coast, ready to be sunk to the seabed.

The pipeline, set to be commissioned in 2011, would lead from Vyborg, Russia through the Gulf of Finland and across the open Baltic to Greifswald, Germany, with a land branch to the Netherlands. (dpa)