Nord Stream is once again in the news. Leaks have been identified and these follow explosions. The international community is already talking about sabotage. However, the United States is calming down. A senior military official believes that it is still too early to conclude that it was sabotage.
Nord Stream victim of sabotage?
Indeed, the Nord Stream pipelines are at the center of the escalating energy war between Europe and Moscow. As a result of the explosions, Russian gas continues to leak into the Baltic Sea. While many actors speak of sabotage, the identity of the person responsible remains unknown.
Unlike some of its allies, the United States is more cautious. However, the country recognizes the concerns of an attack on the infrastructure of NATO allies.
In response to the explosions that occurred, the top U.S. military official says:
“The jury is still out. A lot of our partners, I think, have determined or believe that it’s sabotage. I’m just…I’m not at the point where I can tell you one thing or the other.”
However, it excludes the involvement of the military. In response to Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russian diplomacy, he comments:
“We were absolutely not involved.”
Thus, the United States is awaiting the conclusions of the investigation launched following the Nord Stream leaks. Karine Jean-Pierre, spokeswoman for the White House, says:
“I don’t want to get ahead of the investigation.”
The United States offers its support to Europe
An investigation has been opened to determine the causes of the Nord Stream leaks. The U.S. military official says the United States has not been asked to provide support. In fact, the country could use its underwater military capabilities in this investigation.
The civil servant comments:
“We’re like a number of other countries with capabilities that could certainly help, but we haven’t been asked to do that. And again, there are a lot of countries out there that have a submarine capability.”
Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense, confirms U.S. support. According to a senior Pentagon official, Austin offered his assistance to his Danish counterpart in a telephone conversation.
Tamara Lawrence, spokesperson for the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, also offered her assistance. The U.S. Navy is therefore ready to participate in the Nord Stream investigation. He added that this would be done “in close coordination with our allies and partners”.
Nord Stream, at the heart of the energy war between the EU and Moscow
Nord Stream is, in fact, at the heart of the energy war between Europe and Russia. Moscow had initially reduced the flow of Russian gas via Nord Stream 1. The flow was then suspended in August. The EU accuses Russia of using its gas as a weapon, Moscow explains that Western sanctions have caused technical difficulties.
Following the Nord Stream explosions, the EU has promised a “robust” response. She suspects sabotage. Moscow refutes the accusations pointing the finger at Russia. Its embassy in Denmark says that sabotage of Nord Stream is an attack on the energy security of Europe, but also of Russia.
