UNITED Nations has called for an investigation into the recent sabotage attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, amid conflicting reports about a possible pro-Ukrainian group’s involvement.
Farhan Haq, the UN Secretary-Deputy General’s Spokesman, said at a daily press briefing that the organization had no first-hand information about the allegations, but expressed concern about anyone attempting to blow up critical infrastructure.
He also stated that it was up to the appropriate authorities to conduct an investigation into the incident.
The inquiry was called in response to a report quoting US officials as saying that they had seen new intelligence indicating that the sabotage was carried out by a pro-Ukrainian group.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WST), US officials are looking into the possibility of Ukrainian involvement, citing a senior US official.
The German, Swedish, and Danish authorities, who are conducting their own investigations into the explosions, have urged caution and have not confirmed the US reports.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson declined to comment, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg cautioned against speculation.
The Ukrainian government denied any involvement in the sabotage, while the Kremlin dismissed the Times report as a “Diversion”.
The Deputy Speaker of Russia’s Upper House, Konstantin Kosachev, has called for an independent international investigation and real evidence to identify the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, Danish Military analyst Anders Puck Nielsen suggested that the theory of a pro-Ukrainian group being behind the sabotage benefited the US, NATO, and Ukraine’s political interests by shifting the focus away from themselves and Russia.
The Nord Stream gas pipelines, which run from Russia to Germany beneath the Baltic Sea, have sparked debate and geopolitical tensions, with some Western countries opposing them for increasing Europe’s reliance on Russian gas and bypassing transit countries such as Ukraine.
The recent attacks, which damaged pipelines and caused gas price spikes, have reignited concerns about the security of critical energy infrastructure in the region, as well as the risk of escalation.
