Russia recently expressed its dissatisfaction with Germany’s handling of the investigation into the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in September 2022.
These pipelines, which transported gas under the Baltic Sea, were severely damaged by a series of explosions, disrupting a key element of Europe’s energy supply.
Moscow has sent an official complaint to Berlin, highlighting what it perceives as a failure by Germany and other countries concerned to meet their obligations under the UN anti-terrorism conventions.
This criticism comes after German authorities identified a suspect, a Ukrainian diving instructor, in connection with the attack.
However, despite an arrest warrant being issued for him in Poland, the suspect eluded arrest, a situation Russia sees as a sign of an investigation doomed to failure.
Oleg Tyapkin, Head of the European Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, expressed doubts about Germany’s willingness to pursue the case seriously, going so far as to suggest that the investigation could be closed without ever identifying those truly responsible.
Diplomatic reactions and consequences
Germany’s reaction to these accusations was relatively measured.
A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry confirmed that contacts were underway with the Russian authorities, but declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation.
This silence from Berlin, coupled with the suspect’s escape, is fuelling diplomatic tensions between Russia and Germany, two countries once linked by close energy cooperation.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was more direct in his criticism, saying that Germany must answer all the questions raised by Moscow.
Lavrov also insinuated that the investigation was being manipulated to divert attention from the real culprits, whom he attributed without proof to orders from Washington.
These accusations, while unfounded, reinforce the growing mistrust between Russia and the Western powers, particularly with regard to the integrity of Europe’s energy infrastructure.
