Vladimir Barbin, the Russian Federation Ambassador to Denmark, stated that Copenhagen has not shared any information about the progress or results of the investigation into the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions. He asserted that there has been no cooperation with Moscow on this matter, and he raised questions about why the inquiry remains shrouded in secrecy. Barbin also suggested that such concealment makes it difficult to understand the full scope of what happened and why those events occurred in the first place. In his view, the lack of transparency from the Danish authorities feeds a broader sense of ambiguity surrounding the incident.
According to Barbin, between 2019 and 2021 there was a sustained effort to foster political dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Denmark. He highlighted that, despite pressure from the United States, Danish authorities granted permission for the construction of Nord Stream 2. The ambassador emphasized that Denmark is not currently sharing information about the sabotage inquiry, which he described as a serious and unresolved issue. He also reiterated that Moscow has not received cooperation from Copenhagen on this matter and questioned the level of openness surrounding the investigation.
Barbin noted that there is a growing belief among observers that the explosions on the gas pipelines may have been meticulously planned, a point he mentioned to underscore concerns about security and accountability in energy infrastructure. He argued that the handling of the investigation should be transparent and that all parties involved deserve a clear account of the facts as they emerge.
In the broader regional context, Michael Kretschmer, who previously served as Chancellor of the Free State of Saxony in Germany, stressed the importance of safeguarding the Nord Stream project from a German security perspective. Kretschmer pointed out that ensuring the safety of the gas corridor aligns with Germany’s interests, given the pipeline’s role in regional energy stability and the potential implications for cross-border energy cooperation.