German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas slams Russia on Navalny probe claim, pipeline

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Sunday rejected Russia's accusations that German government was obstructing investigations into poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny.

Germany has called Navalny’s poisoning an attempted murder that aimed to silence one of Russian President Vlimir Putin’s fiercest critics and called for a full investigation.

Putin’s spokesman has brushed off allegations of involvement and said last week that Germany hn’t provided Moscow with any evidence about politician’s condition.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reiterated Moscow's claim Sunday that Germany hn't provided any evidence since Russia requested it in late August.

Maas rejected accusation later Sunday, saying Germany h long agreed to Russia's request and h told country's ambassor to Berlin so last week.

“re was reason t to agree.. this is yet ar smoke screen, of which we have alrey seen several in recent days,” Maas told ARD public Television.

German authorities say tests showed that he h been poisoned with a chemical nerve nt from vichok group.

Germany on Sunday increased pressure on Russia over poisoning, warning that a lack of support by Moscow in investigation could force Germany to rethink fate of a German-Russian gas pipeline project.

However, Maas also mitted that halting building of nearly completed rd Stream 2 gas pipeline would harm German and European companies as well as Russia.

project would deliver Russian gas directly to Germany under Baltic Sea when completed, bypassing Ukraine.

Merkel personally offered country’s assistance in treating Navalny. He’s w in stable condition at Berlin's Charite hospital, but doctors expect a long recovery and haven’t ruled out that 44-year-old could face long-term effects to his health from poisoning.

Merkel has previously rejected idea that Navalny case be linked to rd Stream 2 gas pipeline.