In a recent development regarding the 2022 Nord Stream gas pipeline sabotage, a Polish official has firmly rejected allegations of Polish and Ukrainian involvement. The incident, which occurred nearly two years ago, continues to be a subject of international scrutiny and speculation.
Mieszko Pawlak, head of the international policy bureau at the office of Polish President Andrzej Duda, stated that suggestions of Polish and Ukrainian authorities planning and executing the attack are "completely groundless insinuations." This response came after August Hanning, Germany's former intelligence chief, suggested to Die Welt that there were agreements between the presidents of Poland and Ukraine to carry out the attack.
Pawlak criticized Hanning's past role, noting that he served during Gerhard Schroeder's chancellorship when Nord Stream 1 was being developed. He asserted that Hanning "definitely played a shameful and important role in the investment" as the head of intelligence at that time.
The Nord Stream pipeline system, stretching 1,224 kilometers under the Baltic Sea, was a major route for Russian gas flows to Germany before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The first pipeline was inaugurated on November 8, 2011, with a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Nord Stream 2, completed in September 2021, never became operational due to Germany's suspension of the project on February 22, 2022, in response to Russian aggression.
German media recently reported that prosecutors have identified a Ukrainian diving instructor as a key suspect in the sabotage attack. A warrant for his arrest was issued in Poland, but the suspect reportedly left the country due to Germany's failure to include his name in a database of wanted persons.
"To all the initiators and patrons of Nord Stream 1 and 2. The only thing you should do today about it is apologise and keep quiet."
While not directly addressing the allegations of Polish involvement, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk made a pointed statement on the X platform, suggesting that those behind Nord Stream 1 and 2 should apologize and remain silent.
The Wall Street Journal reported on August 15, 2024, that private businessmen funded the Nord Stream sabotage, overseen by a top general in Ukraine. However, Ukraine continues to deny any involvement in the incident.
The Nord Stream sabotage, which occurred on September 26, 2022, caused four leaks in the pipelines and is considered one of the largest methane leaks in history. The explosions and subsequent destruction of the pipelines have had significant implications for European energy security and further heightened tensions between Russia and the West.
As investigations by Denmark, Sweden, and Germany continue, the incident remains a complex geopolitical issue, intertwined with the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and broader energy security concerns in Europe.