Is a pro-Ukrainian group behind the sabotage of the gas pipelines? Moscow sees itself confirmed. Pistorius reacts cautiously – and refers to the possibility of a false flag action.
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has warned against jumping to conclusions after new reports about the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines.
According to experts, the sabotage could also have been a so-called false flag operation, said the SPD politician on the sidelines of a meeting of EU defense ministers in Sweden. What is meant is the possibility that the real perpetrators could have intentionally laid false tracks that point to other authors.
“It wouldn’t be the first time in the history of such events, so I’m careful not to jump to conclusions,” said Pistorius.
Pistorius dismisses question about Ukraine support
In addition, Pistorius called for a distinction to be made between different scenarios when there were indications of Ukrainian involvement. “We have to make a clear distinction between whether it was a Ukrainian group – which could have been on behalf of Ukraine – or a pro-Ukrainian group without the knowledge of the government,” he said. “I warn against jumping to conclusions.”
When asked whether Ukrainian participation could have an impact on Germany’s support for Ukraine, Pistorius said: “I’m now supposed to answer the question of what would happen if this research were correct and provable – that’s too much conditioning for me. Honestly, I’d like to answer a question like that if I know anything reliable. Everything else is hypothetical.”
Baerbock is also cautious
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also expressed reservations. “Of course we follow all reports and also all findings that are available from different actors very, very intensively,” said the Green politician during her visit to the Kurdish capital Erbil in response to a journalist’s question.
First, however, the competent authorities would have to complete their investigations. The federal government has repeatedly made it clear that the Attorney General in Karlsruhe is responsible for the investigation. He has been investigating since the beginning of October 2022. “He also has sovereignty over the procedure and not the government, due to our understanding of the rule of law,” said Baerbock.
Federal prosecutors searched the ship
The federal prosecutor surprisingly announced today that there had already been a search in January as part of the Nord Stream investigation. A ship was combed through: There is a suspicion that it could have been used to transport explosive devices, the Karlsruhe authorities said on request.
Reliable statements on perpetrators, motives and state control could not be made at the moment.
Media reports: Investigators have a boat in focus
ARD, SWR and “Zeit” had previously reported that the investigations led to the sabotage in the direction of Ukraine. Citing intelligence information, it was said that a pro-Ukrainian group could be responsible. According to media reports, investigators have so far found no evidence of who commissioned the destruction. However, they identified a boat that could have been used for the Baltic Sea venture. The yacht in question was rented from a company based in Poland, which “apparently belongs to two Ukrainians,” it said.
Pistorius said today: “I know the reports about this research. I read it with great interest.”
At the end of September, a total of four leaks in the two pipelines from Russia to Germany were discovered after explosions near the Danish Baltic Sea island of Bornholm. The Swedish security authorities determined in November that it was serious sabotage – but without naming a culprit.
Moscow sees itself confirmed
Moscow commented on the latest media reports with new allegations against the West. Such information would be spread by those “who do not want to conduct investigations within the legal framework and are trying by all means to divert the attention of the public,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel.
Moscow blames the US and UK secret services for the attack. Zakharova once again claimed that Western governments were behind the incident. You must now officially comment on the Russian inquiries and at least work through the research of the US journalist Seymour Hersh, she demanded.
Hersh had written without evidence and citing a single anonymous source that US Navy divers were responsible for the blasts in the Baltic Sea. The White House dismissed the report as fabrication.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
