Russian Pipeline Allegedly Sabotaged in Baltic Sea
(UnitedVoice.com) – When the Russian military invaded Ukraine, the US and its European allies put economic sanctions in place. They hoped financial pressures would force the adversarial nation to stop attacking its neighbor. While the measures undeniably hurt the country’s economy, it wasn’t enough because Russia could still sell its most significant commodities: oil and natural gas.
European nations, especially Germany, comprise some of the primary recipients of Russia’s oil and gas. The vast majority of the Germans’ imported natural gas came through the Nord Stream 1 and 2 Pipelines. The two countries were locked in a battle over the pipelines in recent months, especially while repairs proceeded. Now, reports of pipeline sabotage have prompted a lot of finger-pointing.
Nord Stream Explosions
On Monday, September 26, the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines showed pressure drops. Leaks sprang from the pipelines due to two explosions under the Baltic Sea near the island of Bornholm, a Danish territory. The European Union, the US, and Russia began playing the blame game very quickly.
Who Did It?
Fox News host Tucker Carlson tried to link the US to the pipelines’ sabotage. In his monologue, Carlson claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin would never destroy his own pipelines. Instead, he pointed to a quote President Joe Biden made in February, where he said he would “bring an end” to the Nord Stream 2. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said the US had nothing to do with it and claimed anyone suggesting otherwise was spreading misinformation.
Russia has a long history of spreading disinformation—and is doing it again regarding the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. @StateDeptSpox responded clearly to this disinformation during today’s press briefing. pic.twitter.com/YzcBW3n84M
— Department of State (@StateDept) September 28, 2022
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) floated the idea that Putin was responsible for sabotaging his own pipeline.
Did Russia purposely sabotage the Nord Stream Pipeline?
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) September 28, 2022
The European Union is also blaming the Russian government for the explosions. The Guardian reported that Ursula Von der Leyen, the European Commission president, called it sabotage. Additionally, she threatened whoever did it, saying the “deliberate disruption of active European energy infrastructure […] will lead to the strongest possible response.”
Russia has already faced accusations it’s using Nord Stream 1 to punish Germany for standing up to it politically. It cut the amount of gas flowing through the pipeline to 20% of capacity in July for repairs. At the time, the Associated Press reported German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Putin was trying “drive a wedge” into society. Some believe Russia has tried to hurt the region again by cutting off its head (Germany).
What do you think happened to the pipelines?
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