There is no evidence that Russia was involved in Nord Stream Blasts so far: Germany

According to a German investigator, there has not been any evidence suggesting that Moscow participated in the sabotage or destruction of Nord Stream 1/2 pipelines in Baltic Sea.

An investigation being conducted by Germany’s Public Prosecutor General, Peter Frank, has come up with zero evidence that Russia was involved in the explosions that rendered both Nord Stream pipelines inactive.

Frank stated that while the investigation continues, he acknowledged the fact in remarks reported by The Süddeutsche Zeitung: “What I can say is that the suspicion that this was a foreign act of sabotage has not yet been substantiated.”

The general prosecutor was asked about Russian involvement. “This cannot be proven at the moment.”

Parallel to separate investigations being done in Sweden and Denmark in other countries, the German investigation has been looking at both soil and water samples, as well as sections of the pipe that burst.

“We are currently evaluating all of this forensically,”Frank.

In November, Swedish authorities reported finding traces of explosive material at the bottom of the Baltic Sea site, claiming that it demonstrated that the damage done to the pipelines was an act of “gross sabotage“.

However, the investigators could not — or would not — point to any particular country as the culprit.

In the immediate aftermath of the September explosions, Western figures such as U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and German economy minister Robert Habeck pointed the finger at Russia.

A Ukrainian official claimed they were. “a terrorist attack planned by Russia and an act of aggression toward [the European Union].”

However, others have questioned why Moscow would be motivated to destroy its own pipelines, through which the sale of its natural gas — a central pillar of the Russian economy — was sold to Europe.

The construction of the two pipelines was largely seen as a means for Russia to be able to cut out Ukraine from its energy transport network, notably reducing reliance on the Bratstvo and Soyuz pipelines that cross Ukraine into Central Europe — both of which are still operational, with Ukraine being paid transit fees for its transportation across its territory.

The Kremlin, for its part, previously cast blame on the British, claiming — without presenting evidence — that the Royal Navy took part in the “planning, provision and implementation of a terrorist attack in the Baltic Sea”Pipelines must be destroyed.

British officials characterized the idea of British involvement in the incident as “false claims of an epic scale”.

Other people have raised concerns about remarks made by Joe Biden in the past. saidBefore the Russian invasion of February last year “If Russia invades… then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it.”

The fate of the pipelines remains uncertain, as neither Russia nor Germany have offered to contribute the funds.

This move may soon be a reality, as officials from the German government warn that there could be a disruption to existing pipelines. “destroyed forever”Salt water corrosion can occur without any immediate intervention.

Follow Kurt Zindulka’s Twitter account here @KurtZindulka