Brussels [Belgium]September 28 (ANI): European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Wednesday expressed deep concern over damage to the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, the strategic infrastructure connecting Russia to Europe.
Borrell warned that any deliberate disruption of European energy infrastructure is “completely unacceptable and will be met with a robust and united response.” International waters of the Baltic Sea. Safety and environmental considerations are of the highest priority. These incidents are not a coincidence and affect us all, the EU’s top official said in a statement.
“All available information suggests that these leaks are the result of a deliberate act. We will support any investigation aimed at gaining full clarity on what happened and why, and will take further steps to increase our resilience in energy security,” he added.
On Monday, Danish and Swedish officials said leaks had been identified in Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 under the Baltic Sea off the coast of the Danish island of Bornholm.
An investigation is underway to find leaks in two Russian gas pipelines amid concerns about sabotage of infrastructure at the heart of a European energy blackout.
The Kremlin said Russia is “extremely concerned” about the damage to the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines.
In a statement, pipeline operator Nord Stream AG said three offshore pipelines in the Russian-built Nord Stream gas pipeline system suffered “unprecedented” damage and leaked gas into the Baltic Sea.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the pressure in the gas pipeline has dropped significantly as a result of the three leaks and refused to rule out sabotage as a potential cause, TASS reported.
The damage to the main pipelines comes amid an ongoing energy dispute that began after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February this year.
Europe accuses Russia of weaponizing energy supplies in response to Western sanctions. Meanwhile, Moscow blames sanctions and technical problems for supply disruptions.
Earlier in August, flows through the pipeline were halted and have yet to restart following a series of repairs announced by Moscow. (ANI)
Source: sn.dk