EU Policy Chief Says Damage to Nord Stream Gas Pipe Deliberate

Damage caused to the Nord Stream undersea pipelines resulted from sabotage, according to the most senior EU diplomat, who warns of retaliation.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has warned of harsh retaliation for any attack on Europe’s energy networks and believes that sabotage was responsible for the damage done to two underwater Nord Stream natural gas pipelines.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell released a statement on behalf of the union’s 27 members, saying: “All available information indicates those leaks are the result of a deliberate act.

“Any deliberate disruption of European energy infrastructure is utterly unacceptable and will be met with a robust and united response.”

Seismologists noted on Tuesday, Sep. 27, that explosions shook the Baltic Sea prior to the discovery of strange leaks on two underwater natural gas pipelines connecting Germany and Russia.

The three leaks were discovered on the natural gas-filled Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines.

Analysts say that even though the pipelines are not currently transporting fuel to Europe, they are unlikely to be able to do so this winter, even if the political will to do so were to materialise.

In addition to supporting any damage inquiry, the EU, according to Josep Borrell, “will take further steps to increase our resilience in energy security.”

The harm was described as an “act of sabotage” by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and as “deliberate actions” by his Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen.

Any occasion like this is, according to the Danish Energy Agency, “infrequent.”

Danish Defense Minister Morten Bødskov responded by saying: “There is reason to be concerned about the security situation in the Baltic Sea region.

“Despite the war efforts in Ukraine, Russia has a significant military presence in the Baltic Sea region, and we expect them to continue their saber-rattling.”