There is no doubt that the damage to the pipelines is the result of acts of sabotage and NATO will not hesitate to respond in a “united and determined” manner to any deliberate attack. The tension in the Baltic Sea and in the gas war is very high, which overlaps with that in Ukraine. “Any deliberate attack against the infrastructure of allied countries will lead to a united and determined response. We will support the investigation to determine the source of the damage” to Nord Stream 1 and 2, the North Atlantic Council said after the damage found in the pipelines. The damage to “causes deep concern” is stated in a NATO note, also signed by Finland and Sweden. “All available information indicates that it is the result of deliberate, reckless and irresponsible acts of sabotage.”
Meanwhile, a new gas leak has been detected by Nord Stream pipelines, this is the fourth damage since the beginning of the week. Two of the damages identified are in Swedish waters and two in Danish waters. According to Reuters, at the time of the explosions that led to the gas leaks, none of the pipelines were in operation; however, the pipelines were full of gas, which flowed into the Baltic Sea with the consequences that this can have, especially for the ecosystem.
It is not yet known who is behind these damages; what is certain is that the European Union strongly suspects sabotage in the maritime gas pipelines that supply Europe with gas from Russia. Indeed, Brussels has promised a firm and robust response against any international blockade of its energy structures.
“These losses cause substantial maritime risks and environmental damage. We support ongoing investigations to determine the source of the damage – reads the NATO note – We, as allies, are committed to preparing, discouraging and defending ourselves against the coercive use of energy and other tactics by state and non-state actors. Any deliberate attack on critical allies infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response.” Meanwhile, Greenpeace takes stock of the environmental damage: leaks in the Nord Stream could have the same climate-destroying potential as 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, the same as the annual emissions from 20 million cars in Europe.
Source: IL Tempo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
