"Nord Stream Gas Leak Is Deliberate Sabotage"
Germany "Suspects Destruction Due to Diver-Planted Explosives"
Russia Denies Involvement "Calls for UN Security Council Emergency Meeting"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Norway, a major gas and oil producer in Europe, announced that it will station troops to strengthen security in order to defend its domestic oil and gas facilities. This move is interpreted as a response to growing concerns over energy security following the explosion and leakage incident at the Nord Stream gas pipeline, a direct gas pipeline between Germany and Russia. Most Western countries, including the European Union (EU), suspect Russia to be behind the explosion, while Russia strongly denies the allegations.
On the 28th (local time), Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated at a press conference, "The signs that the Nord Stream gas pipeline leakage was caused by deliberate actions are becoming stronger, and we are facing a very serious situation," adding, "We will station troops near oil and gas facilities to enhance security." Norway possesses about 90 gas fields and oil fields, along with gas pipelines extending approximately 9,000 km.
Prime Minister Støre emphasized, "The navy will be deployed to offshore oil and gas fields, and police will be dispatched to land facilities," and "As Europe's largest gas supplier, we are aware of our special responsibility and will respond jointly with our allies to any attacks." This is interpreted as a significant security reinforcement of domestic facilities following the explosion and gas leakage incident at the Nord Stream gas pipeline installed under the Baltic Sea between Germany and Russia.
The Swedish Security Service, neighboring Norway, also announced in a statement on the same day, "We are investigating whether there was a serious intentional act of sabotage related to the leakage at the Nord Stream gas pipeline," adding, "We cannot rule out the involvement of foreign forces." Including Norway and Sweden, the EU and Western countries mostly suspect Russia to be behind this incident.
According to Germany's Tagesspiegel, the German government believes that three of the four Nord Stream gas pipelines, including Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, have been permanently damaged. It is suggested that the damage was not caused by an accidental incident but possibly by divers planting explosives around the pipelines.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has also launched an investigation into the issue. If suspicions of destructive activities by Russia are confirmed, NATO plans to respond jointly with its member countries. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, during a meeting with Danish Defense Minister Morten Bødskov on the same day, said, "Protecting the infrastructure of NATO countries is a top priority," and stated that the facts are being investigated.
Meanwhile, Russia denied the Western countries' allegations of its involvement in the gas pipeline leakage and announced that it has convened an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). According to Russia's TASS news agency, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated, "Russia has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council regarding the Nord Stream gas pipeline leakage, and the meeting will be convened on the 30th."
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