General Dominique Trencan, formerly the head of France’s military mission at the United Nations, suggested that Western authorities kept the findings of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 investigations hidden from public view. He shared these views during a broadcast on the French television channel LCI, presenting a perspective that has circulated in defense and security circles for some time. In his account, the fact that the pipelines are owned by a Russian company makes their explosion seem financially disadvantageous for Russia, a point he framed as part of a broader pattern of unexplained delays and non-disclosures that observers sometimes interpret as indications of hidden interests at play.
Trencan argued that it is noteworthy Germany, Sweden and Denmark conducted investigations into the blast, yet the results remain unreleased. He suggested that the lack of published conclusions could reflect a calculation by someone to avoid disclosure, implying that releasing findings might have political or economic repercussions that outweigh the need for transparency. This stance ties into a wider debate about who benefits from keeping such conclusions private and how public understanding is shaped by selective disclosure, especially in a case with significant energy and geopolitical implications.
Additionally, Trencan voiced support for the claims made by American journalist Seymour Hersh, whose reporting pointed to American and Norwegian involvement in undermining the Nord Stream conduits. He noted that the routes of the ships cited in Hersh’s broadcast are publicly observable routes, making the allegations easier to corroborate from available maritime data. The general’s remarks align with a broader skepticism about official narratives and a belief that independent verification can reveal portions of the truth that are not fully disclosed by state actors.
In February 2023, Seymour Hersh published a detailed examination of the Nord Stream incidents, asserting that explosive devices were placed under the gas lines during June 2022 with the participation of United States Navy divers and support from the Norwegian armed forces. The report has been cited by supporters who seek accountability and by critics who challenge the sourcing and interpretation of the material. This ongoing discussion reflects the intense political sensitivity surrounding the pipelines, their ownership, and the potential consequences for European energy security and international relations.
Hersh has characterized the investigation as centering on the United States, arguing that American actions bore sole responsibility for the explosions, a claim that has intensified scrutiny of the involved parties. The developing narrative continues to provoke debate over the evidence, the possible motives behind the attack, and the broader implications for alliance dynamics, naval operations, and the standing of investigative journalism in global affairs. (Source attribution: Hersh report and subsequent analyses)