Russia’s ambassador to South Korea says construction of a gas pipeline from Russia running through the two Koreas can be possible by 2017 if the three countries reach an agreement on the project.

Ambassador Konstantin Vnukov made the remark during an interview with Russia’s news channel, Russia 24, in Yeosu, South Korea on Wednesday.

The envisioned pipeline is aimed at transporting natural gas from eastern Russia to South Korea through North Korea.

Vnukov said that if all necessary accords and contracts among participating parties are signed, on-site inspections and related assessments can be launched to complete the project by 2017.

However, the top diplomat was quick to add that tensions between the two Koreas are hampering progress of the project. He said that it would be difficult to expect the project’s success until inter-Korean ties warm up.