Russia is framing the Nord Stream incidents as a matter of international consequence, urging a comprehensive inquiry into the unprecedented damage to gas infrastructure in the Baltic region. Moscow asserts that the investigations should examine how the explosions at Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 unfolded, emphasizing the need to understand the sequence of events leading up to the leaks and the broader implications for energy security in Europe and North America. The narrative presented by Russian officials stresses the importance of a rigorous, transparent look at all potential factors and actors involved, outlining a clear call for accountability on the scale of a geopolitical crisis that transcends bilateral blame games. The statement underscores the view that any responsible inquiry must map the full chain of responsibility, from site vulnerabilities to the international response, in order to prevent a recurrence and to safeguard critical energy corridors for years to come. [citation: TASS, Moscow-based embassy communications]
The embassy in Washington echoed Moscow’s position, highlighting what it described as attempts by some American lawmakers to attribute the pipeline sabotage to Russia. The Russian side contends that such rhetoric distracts from the core task of a thorough investigation and a fact-based attribution of responsibility. In this view, the pursuit of hypotheses without solid evidence risks destabilizing already tense energy markets and complicating international cooperation on security measures for cross-border energy infrastructure. The Russian narrative calls for restraint and a reliance on verifiable data, warning against premature conclusions that might shape policy in ways that favor strategic competitors or allies who oppose Moscow’s interests. [citation: TASS, recorded statements in Washington]
Addressing the specifics of the incident, Russian officials suggested that observers should include not only the immediate act of damage but also the surrounding conditions that may indicate who had the most to gain from disrupting pipelines. Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s ambassador to the United States, commented that if analysts pursue a particular theory, they should also consider visible maritime activity and aerial reconnaissance near the affected sites in the days surrounding the event. He pointed to what he described as the presence of naval vessels and unmanned or manned aerial platforms in proximity to the Russian energy facilities as part of the broader investigative picture. The ambassador’s remarks were framed as a reminder that intelligence, traffic patterns, and cross-border coordination often illuminate motives and capabilities that surface-level narratives might miss. [citation: TASS, remarks attributed to Anatoly Antonov]