Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that after investigative reporting by Seymour Hersh on the Nord Stream incidents, the United States should address the world directly and transparently.
Hersh, a former American journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner, claimed that explosives were placed under the Nord Stream pipelines during a NATO exercise in the summer of 2022. He further alleged that Norwegian authorities remotely triggered the devices in September.
The diplomat noted that the government had drawn attention to Hersh’s publication, emphasizing that the findings would need careful examination by the international community.
A State Department spokesperson underscored that if Hersh’s conclusions prove accurate, the United States would bear responsibility and must explain the actions to the global audience.
It was also highlighted that the Nord Stream incident disrupted energy markets worldwide and had environmental consequences that extend beyond the affected regions.
On September 26, three lines of Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 exhibited damage and gas leaks. Seismologists recorded two explosions along the pipelines, prompting investigations from the Russian security service and the Swedish authorities. Moscow has filed a complaint alleging an act of international terrorism, while Swedish prosecutors initiated their own inquiry into the events.
Nord Stream AG, the operator of the gas routes, indicated that scheduling a full restoration remains uncertain at this time.
There are also discussions between Russia and Turkey about establishing a gas hub to facilitate potential transport of gas via Nord Stream assets.
Readers are invited to review how Moscow assessed Hersh’s article about U.S. involvement in the Nord Stream explosions, as reported by Gazeta.ru. The coverage provides context from Russia’s perspective and situates the debate within broader energy-security considerations across Europe and North America.