European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed that the recent major gas leaks on the Nord Stream pipelines were “deliberate” acts of “sabotage.”
The EU chief warned that attacks on European energy infrastructure will trigger the “strongest possible response.”
As Slay News reported, the warning comes after the German government said earlier this week that suspects that the sudden loss of pressure in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines between Germany and Russia is the result of deliberate sabotage.
German newspaper Tagesspiegel newspaper reported that officials believe the pipeline was hit by a “targeted attack,” carried out by either Russia or Ukraine.
Pressure in the Nord Stream 2 undersea gas pipeline dropped from 300 to 7 bars on Sunday night.
The potentially devastating pressure loss was followed by a similar occurrence in Nord Stream 1’s pipeline on Monday afternoon.
The sudden drop of pressure in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline may also have caused a gas leak near the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea.
Denmark’s government launched an investigation into the issues, revealing that there were three separate leaks.
Shortly after the leaks, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the issues as “deliberate acts,” adding that “it’s hard to imagine that it’s accidental.”
On Monday, Swedish seismologists reported the detection of underwater explosions.
Shortly after, large patches of roiling gas could be seen on the surface in the same area.
Billeder fra F-16 af gaslækage i Østersøen. https://t.co/OgCDfcvTjG pic.twitter.com/D5wsoXvuda
— Forsvaret (@forsvaretdk) September 27, 2022
On Tuesday afternoon, Danish investigators confirmed that the leaks were the result of sabotage.
Danish PM Frederiksen told reporters Nord Stream pipeline system damage to NS1 and NS2 “are deliberate actions, not an accident.”
“It is now the clear assessment by authorities that these are deliberate actions,” said during a press conference.
“It was not an accident.
“There is no information yet to indicate who may be behind this action,” Frederiksen said.
However, she added that authorities don’t see the pipeline attacks as a military threat against Denmark.
Danish gov speaking live now on Nord Stream leaks.
PM Mette Frederiksen "These are deliberate actions, not an accident." pic.twitter.com/UMw4MOUgc9
— Carl Fridh Kleberg (@FridhKleberg) September 27, 2022
Meanwhile, German magazine Spiegel reported Tuesday that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) recently warned Berlin about the increasing signs of a possible planned attack on the Nord Stream pipeline system.
Citing unnamed sources, Spiegel reported that the CIA tipped off Berlin in the summer about possible attacks on NS1 and NS2.
CIA warned Germany weeks ago of coming attack on natural gas pipelines Nord Stream I & II (from Russia to Germany), reports Der Spiegel.
Russia could have pulled off such an attack but “It is difficult to see whether Russia or Ukraine could have an interest in such an incident” pic.twitter.com/7jZWvYdhgI
— Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) September 27, 2022
“From Ukraine's point of view, the permanent interruption of gas supplies from Russia to Germany would be a possible interest in the room. On the contrary, there would be immense political disadvantages that could arise from an attack.” pic.twitter.com/qziRb1gFUF
— Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) September 27, 2022
CNN’s White House and national security reporter Natasha Bertrand said the Biden administration “is not going to speculate on the cause” of the Nord Stream pipeline system damage.
“The US stands ready to support European partners’ efforts as they investigate,” Bertrand said.
Another CNN national security reporter, Kylie Atwood, tweeted that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it would be “in no one’s interest” if the pipeline leaks were confirmed as the result of an attack or sabotage.
However, many have been pointing to comments Democrat President Joe Biden made just weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine:
“If Russia invades…then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2.
“We will bring an end to it.”
Pres. Biden: "If Russia invades…then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it."
Reporter: "But how will you do that, exactly, since…the project is in Germany's control?"
Biden: "I promise you, we will be able to do that." https://t.co/uruQ4F4zM9 pic.twitter.com/4ksDaaU0YC
— ABC News (@ABC) February 7, 2022
