German, Danish and Scandinavian security authorities are now examining the leaks and trying to identify their cause, according to the German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who added that Europe is able to protect its critical infrastructure.Īuthorities are keeping ships away from the area, citing the risk of leaked gas igniting over the water and in the air – but say there are few other security risks, since the leak will only affect the environment where the gas plumes are located. Meanwhile, a Russian spokesman told reporters on Tuesday, “No option can be ruled out right now.” US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also spoke with his Danish counterpart on Tuesday about the “apparent sabotage,” saying the US was supporting investigation efforts. “All available information indicates those leaks are the result of a deliberate act,” the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, while promising to increase energy security efforts. The European Union said on Wednesday it was “deeply concerned” about damage to the two pipelines. “Any deliberate disruption of active European energy infrastructure is unacceptable and will lead to the strongest possible response,” she warned. On Tuesday evening, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had spoken with Danish leaders about “the sabotage action,” and that it is “paramount to now investigate the incidents, get full clarity on events and why.” Norway’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland said information so far “indicates acts of sabotage.” Other major European leaders echoed these comments the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she sees the leaks as “deliberate actions,” while the Danish Energy Minister Dan Jannik Jørgensen said they could have been caused “by blasts.” However, she said Sweden’s defense forces were ready to adapt to the situation, while Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist said marine units would be made available “if considered necessary.”Ī large disturbance in the sea off the coast of the Danish island of Bornholm on September 27, after leaks were discovered in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said in a news conference Tuesday that the leaks were “likely a deliberate action” but “not an attack against Sweden.” Seismologists detected underwater explosions near the pipelines on Monday, but it’s unclear if those are connected to the leaks. Neither pipeline was in operation at the time the leaks were found, but both still contained gas under pressure. Swedish authorities sounded the alarm on Tuesday about leaks in the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines – both of which run under the Baltic Sea near Sweden and Denmark, and have been major flashpoints in the energy war between Europe and Russia. Leaders of several Western countries have said leaks in two Russian gas pipelines are likely the result of sabotage, vowing a strong response as investigations continue.
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