The EU has claimed that sabotage was to blame for leaks in two significant gas pipelines from Russia to Europe, but has refrained from condemning Russia specifically.According to Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, deliberate disruption will receive the “strongest possible response.”Ukraine went a step further in the past and accused Russia of a “terrorist attack.”
The EU has previously charged Russia with using the Nord Stream pipeline and gas supply as a weapon against the West.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that he did not believe the leaks would “significantly affect Europe’s energy resiliency.”
Although Mr. Blinken did not accuse Russia directly, he did state that it would be “in no one’s interest” if they were created on purpose. Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, echoed Ms. von der Leyen’s message.
Dan Jorgensen, Denmark’s energy minister, said that the leaks will likely continue for at least a week, or until all of the gas in the leaking pipelines had been used up. Then the investigation would start.
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The Nord Stream 2 operators warned about a loss of pressure in the pipeline on Monday afternoon. As a result, the Danish government advised ships to steer clear of the region close to the island of Bornholm.
The Nord Stream 1 operator later claimed on Tuesday that “unprecedented” damage had been done to all of the subsea lines on the same day.
Since Russia shut down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in August, which consists of two parallel branches, no gas has been carried through it. The EU said it was attempting to weaponize Europe’s gas supply while placing the responsibility for the closure on maintenance.
