TASS reported that Russia continues to call for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline explosions, and brings those behind them to justice.
Russian Ambassador to Germany - Mr. Sergey Nechayev - affirmed that this is an act of international terrorism, aimed at directly targeting strategic infrastructure to ensure the energy security of Europe, especially Germany.
Speaking to TASS after the news of a Ukrainian suspect being arrested in Italy, Mr. Nechayev emphasized: "Russia resolutely demands an objective and complete investigation into this terrorist attack, as well as the identification and prosecution of all perpetrators and organizers".
According to the Russian diplomat, Germany's announcement of the arrest of a Ukrainian citizen in Italy, suspected of being a coordinator in the Nord Stream sabotage, is a step forward but cannot be considered a final result. "We cannot stop at arresting a suspect. Relevant countries must clarify the entire network behind the incident, he said.
However, Mr. Nechayev criticized the European countries' investigation process as "long-term but low-results". He stressed that after nearly three years, investigations initiated by coastal states have yet to produce any concrete results.
Denmark and Sweden, he said, quickly "swerved their hands" and declared that they could not identify the culprit within their authority. Only Duc continued the investigation steps, as evidenced by the above arrest.
On August 21, the German Federal Public Prosecutor's Office announced that a Ukrainian citizen, identified as Sergey K, had been arrested in Italy. This person is suspected of being involved in a group of explosives that destroyed the Nord Stream pipeline near Bornholm Island (denmark) in September 2022.
The group was accused of using a yacht to leave the port of Rostock (Germany) for brokerage using fake papers to transport explosives. The September 26, 2022 explosion destroyed three of the four branches of Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2, causing a global shake-up as Europe faces a gas crisis.
Russia has long affirmed that this is an act of international terrorism with outside support. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said Moscow has no doubt that the US is involved in the incident. The Russian Federation Public Prosecutor's Office has also initiated a criminal case for international terrorism.
Ambassador Nechayev reiterated that even former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last year acknowledged that Russia's assessment of the Nord Stream case was reasonable. He emphasized: "The whole truth needs to be clarified. The delay or hinted only further undermine the trust of European public opinion.
The Nord Stream explosion is considered one of the most serious acts of sabotage of energy infrastructure in modern history and has remained the focus of diplomatic disputes between Russia, Europe and the US.
