Russia recently expressed dissatisfaction with Germany’s handling of the investigation into the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in September 2022. The pipelines, which carried gas under the Baltic Sea, were severely damaged by a series of explosions, disrupting a key part of Europe’s energy supply. Moscow has sent a formal complaint to Berlin, highlighting what it sees as a failure by Germany and other countries involved to fulfill their obligations under UN counter-terrorism conventions. The criticism comes after German authorities identified a suspect, a Ukrainian diving instructor, in connection with the attack. However, despite an arrest warrant issued for him in Poland, the suspect has evaded arrest, a situation Russia sees as a sign of a doomed investigation. Oleg Tyapkin, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s European department, has expressed doubts about Germany’s willingness to pursue the case seriously, going so far as to suggest that the investigation could be closed without ever identifying the real culprits.
Diplomatic Reactions and Consequences
Germany’s reaction to the accusations has been relatively measured. A German Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed that contacts were ongoing with Russian authorities, but declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation. Berlin’s silence, coupled with the suspect’s escape, is fueling diplomatic tensions between Russia and Germany, two countries that once had close energy cooperation.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been more direct in his criticism, saying that Germany must answer all the questions raised by Moscow. Lavrov has also suggested that the investigation is being manipulated to divert attention from the real culprits, whom he attributes without evidence to orders from Washington. These accusations, although unfounded, reinforce the growing mistrust between Russia and Western powers, particularly regarding the integrity of European energy infrastructure.
This article is originally published on energynews.pro
