NATO denounced this Thursday “deliberate, reckless and irresponsible” acts of sabotage committed against the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea and will defend itself from the use of energy for “coercive purposes”.
“We are committed to deterring, protecting and defending against the coercive use of energy leverage or any other hybrid device by state or non-state actors,” the 30-member Alliance said in a statement.
Tension rises between Russia and the United States
“The damage suffered by the Nordstream 1 and Nordstream 2 pipelines in the international waters of the Baltic Sea is of particular concern,” the allies stressed, citing “a hazard to shipping” and “serious environmental damage.” Two suspicious explosions occurred on Monday morning and evening, according to various seismological institutes. They were located in international waters off the Danish island of Bornholm, but within the respective exclusive economic zones of the two Scandinavian countries.
Four leaks were observed on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines. Not operational at the time of the events due to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the two pipelines were still full of gas for technical reasons. Subject to all suspicions, Russia struck back on Wednesday, targeting the United States and obtaining a UN Security Council meeting. In exchange, Washington denounced a new “disinformation” operation.
Source: BFM TV
