Putin: "Nord Stream Gas Pipeline Leak Is International Terrorism"...Claims US Behind It

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the gas leak incident at Nord Stream, the direct gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, as an international act of terrorism and accused the United States of being behind it. However, in countries neighboring Russia, claims that Russian naval vessels were spotted near the gas leak area are gaining traction, supporting the assertion that Russia is responsible.

On the 29th (local time), according to Russia's TASS news agency, President Putin, during a phone call with Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, President of T?rkiye, criticized the gas pipeline leak, calling it "an unprecedented sabotage (covert destruction operation) and an international act of terrorism." This statement is interpreted as strongly implying the Russian government's claim that the United States is behind the incident.

Earlier, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated in a media interview the previous day, "The gas pipeline leak occurred in the economic waters of Denmark and Sweden," adding, "These countries are under the control of the United States," thus asserting the U.S. behind-the-scenes theory. She further emphasized, "U.S. President Joe Biden said on February 7, 2022, that if Russia invades Ukraine, Nord Stream 2 would no longer exist," and "The United States must explain the gas pipeline explosions."

Since the incident, Russia has claimed that the gas pipeline leak was a staged event orchestrated by the United States and the West. The Russian government has repeatedly argued that considering Denmark is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Sweden is in the process of joining NATO, the gas pipeline leak was caused by the U.S.-led Western bloc.

However, among European countries neighboring Russia, the theory that Russia is behind the incident is gaining strength. CNN reported, citing two European security officials and two Western intelligence agency sources, that "Russian naval vessels were spotted over two days, on the 26th and 27th, when leaks occurred at three underwater sections near the Baltic Sea."

One Western intelligence official also said that a Russian submarine was observed not far from the leak site. A Danish military official stated that Russian ships routinely operate in the area.

Meanwhile, on the 26th and 27th, parts of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines located on the seabed within the exclusive economic zone near Bornholm Island, Denmark, were damaged, causing gas leaks. Gas leaks were confirmed at three points along the pipelines, accompanied by two explosions several hours apart. Subsequently, on the 29th, additional leak points were discovered, bringing the total number of leak sites to four.