Staff Reports
Thursday's strikes on the Nord Stream pipelines were sabotage, according to NATO.
NATO, of which the U.S. is a part, said the explosions on the twin pipelines in the Baltic Sea Monday and Tuesday were "very concerning" and could demand a concerted response. Many Baltic Sea countries first suspected sabotage for the practically identical releases, but no one has claimed responsibility.
“All currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage,” the body’s North Atlantic Council said, without providing detail.
A spokeswoman for NATO declined to respond when the Daily Caller News Foundation asked what evidence could indicate to sabotage.
After Germany, Denmark, and Russia, the EU acknowledged the attacks were sabotage on Tuesday.
NATO could not comment on the offender but stated the strikes could demonstrate “coercive” use of energy as a military technique by “state and non-state actors.”
Gazprom owns most of the Nord Stream pipes. Reuters claimed that Russia disputed the revelations.
Discussed the sabotage on the #NorthStream pipelines with Defence Minister @mfMorten of our valued Ally #Denmark. We addressed the protection of critical infrastructure in #NATO countries. pic.twitter.com/GCRgVOTR2S
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) September 28, 2022
Earlier this summer, the CIA warned that foreign groups could strike the pipeline. The Nord Stream pipelines formed a critical energy link between Russia and the rest of Europe, becoming the subject of political tensions after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
German officials fear the strikes could permanently disable the pipelines, preventing Russia from resuming gas deliveries to Europe.
“Any deliberate attack against Allies’ critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response,” the body’s North Atlantic Council said, noting that the attacks took place in international waters.
The declarations from NATO mark the first time the organization, bound by a mutual defense pact, has formally declared it will fight against assaults on essential infrastructure, such as energy plants, according to The Wall Street Journal.
NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg: “NATO is committed to deter and defend against hybrid attacks,”
The preceding is a summary of an article that originally appeared on DAILY CALLER.
