Three years after the shocking explosion in the Baltic Sea, the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines - a symbol of Russia- Europe gas cooperation - are still paralyzed. However, on September 26, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there was still one branch of Nord Stream 2 that was not destroyed and "could be activated at any time".
The entire pipeline can be operated immediately, Peskov stressed, adding that Germanys refusal to use the gas would continue to suffer clear losses to the Berlin economy.
Peskov insists Nord Stream can be repaired, but warned that the longer it is left, the greater the deterioration.
The Nord Stream system consists of four pipelines, running under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. After the explosion on September 26, 2022, only one branch of Nord Stream 2 was not damaged. The sabotage was described by both the West and Russia as an unprecedented act of energy terrorism.
Nord Stream has previously supplied a large amount of gas to Europe. This loss of energy not only caused skyrocketing prices, but also pushed Europe into a harsh cold winter amid the full-scale outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz once said that Nord Stream 2 not being put into operation is "part of an effort to force Russia to negotiate to end the conflict". However, Russia believes that Berlin itself is suffering the opposite consequences, losing a stable and cheap gas supply.
The answer to whether the German economy is suffering damage because the pipeline is not working is too clear: Yes, and will continue to be the same, Peskov stressed.
In his speech, the Kremlin spokesman repeated his accusation that the Nord Stream sabotage was impossible without the permission of the US government at that time.
Without the consent of the US presidential administration Joe Biden and Ukraine, such an action would not have been possible, Peskov said, referring to Washington turning the green light on one of Europes most serious energy infrastructure sabotages.
The US has always denied any involvement. Ukraine has also denied being behind the attack, although a Ukrainian citizen, Serhii K., 49, was arrested in Italy in August 2025 on suspicion of coordinating a sabotage group. German prosecutors said the group hired a fake documentation cruise ship and used divers to plant explosives.
Denmark and Sweden have closed the investigation in early 2024, leaving Germany as the only party to continue pursuing the case. Although traces of explosives have been discovered at sea, Berlin is still very cautious, not making a final conclusion.
Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly pressured international investigations and considered the incident an "act of international terrorism". Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia had no doubt that the US had supported the sabotage.
