Russia has summoned the ambassadors of Germany, Sweden and Denmark to protest the “completely unsuccessful” investigation into the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement today that it had summoned the ambassadors of Germany, Sweden and Denmark to protest that those countries deliberately delayed the progress of the investigation into the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea last year. Russia expressed dissatisfaction with the “unclear nature” of the investigation, as well as these countries’ refusal to allow Russia to participate in the investigation.
“It is important to note that these countries are not interested in determining the true circumstances of the sabotage. On the contrary, they are delaying the investigation efforts and trying to hide the traces and the true perpetrators, without us believing that these are countries that are already known. by many people”, emphasized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
The agency also stressed that Moscow will continue to work to ensure that Germany, Denmark and Sweden conduct an objective investigation with Russia’s participation.
“It is no coincidence that ‘leaked’ information about what happened was released to the media to complicate the investigation,” the statement added.
Denmark’s foreign ministry confirmed its ambassador was summoned by Russia and said authorities in Denmark, Germany and Sweden were continuing to investigate.
“Denmark has continually provided Russia with updates on the progress of its investigation and responded to its inquiries. We will continue to do so,” the ministry said.
Air bubbles emerge from a leak in Nord Stream 2 with a diameter of about 1 km in the Baltic Sea near the Danish island of Bornholm on September 27, 2022. Photo: Reuters
Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 are built under the Baltic Sea to transport Russian natural gas to Germany and Western Europe. Both pipelines were severely damaged after explosions in September 2022. At the time, the pipelines were all out of order.
Denmark, Sweden and Germany, the three countries closest to the site, have launched an investigation, concluding that it is an act of sabotage, but have not identified the author of the crime.
The US and NATO called the incident “an act of sabotage”. Russia has repeatedly accused Western countries of being behind the explosions, but has provided no evidence. Moscow also criticized Berlin, Copenhagen and Stockholm for failing to respond to requests for cooperation in the investigation.
In March, US media quoted Western intelligence and diplomatic sources as saying investigators had found evidence that a pro-Ukrainian group was discussing the possibility of attacking the Nord Stream before the explosions. The group may then have carried out the sabotage.
Ukrainian authorities have denied involvement in the explosion. Russia also believes that the information about the pro-Ukrainian group is an attempt to divert international investigations and calls on countries contributing to the Nord Stream project to promote a transparent and prompt investigation.
Germany confirmed in early March that investigators had searched a ship suspected of carrying an explosive device used in the Nord Stream sabotage. Berlin said he was trying to determine the identity and motivation of the group of perpetrators that caused the explosion, but had not provided further information so far.
The location of the leak following explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in September 2022. Graphics: Guardian
Huyen Le (according to Reuters)
