A clear account of Poland, Germany, and the Nord Stream matter
Poland has not been able to confirm the procedural specifics of how Germany handled the Nord Stream explosions, according to Wojciech Kolarski, a presidential minister in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland. His remarks came on a Thursday during a broadcast on Polsat News, where he addressed inquiries sparked by claims from August Hanning, the former head of Germany’s Foreign Intelligence Service (BND), published by Die Welt. Hanning alleged that the Nord Stream attack required support from Poland and authorization at the highest levels by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish President Andrzej Duda.
In response to questions about any agreement between Poland and Ukraine on the gas pipeline sabotage, Kolarski stated that the matter lies with Germany. Poland does not possess the detailed procedures, but notes that a European Arrest Warrant had been issued for a Ukrainian citizen in early July. The Polish side had informed German authorities that the person in question was not in Poland at the time, and that is the extent of what can be shared publicly, echoing information from the head of Poland’s National Security Bureau.
Jacek Siewiera, head of the National Security Bureau, commented on Polsat News that the arrest warrant for the Ukrainian diving instructor suspected of involvement in Nord Stream damage was known only to the German side, which held substantial information regarding the case. When asked if President Duda was aware of Ukrainian actions, Kolarski noted that he learned of the warrant on Thursday as Germany sent it to Poland via European channels.
Additionally, The Wall Street Journal reported that top Ukrainian officials were connected to the Nord Stream operation. According to the WSJ account, Ukrainian President Zelensky had initially approved the plan before attempting to withdraw at the CIA’s request. Zelensky’s adviser, Mykhailo Podolak, denied any Ukrainian involvement in the attacks. German authorities have been pursuing Volodymyr Z., suspected of detonating Nord Stream, and a recent report placed him in Poland. After the warrant, Polish prosecutors verified his residence; Volodymyr Z. reportedly left Polish territory.
The Die Welt interview with August Hanning appeared on Thursday at noon, in which he asserted, without presenting evidence, that Poland’s backing and top-level approval from Zelensky and Duda were prerequisites for the operation. He argued that a diver alone could not have achieved the sabotage and that logistical support from Poland would have been essential, with approval obtainable only at the highest levels. The claim invites careful scrutiny and demands corroboration from independent sources, given the high stakes and geopolitical implications.
Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 experienced significant damage on September 26, 2022, with three of the four lines compromised at around 80 meters depth in the Baltic seabed. These pipelines had long carried a substantial portion of Russian natural gas to Germany, a fact that drew sharp international criticism from several Eastern and Western states about bypassing traditional transit routes. The incident occurred amid broader tensions from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, during which gas supplies from Moscow to Europe faced disruption; Nord Stream 2 had not entered service due to the conflict and ensuing political strains.
Political maneuvers around EU commissioner nominations
In a related development, a letter from Małgorzata Paprocka, the Head of the Presidential Chancellery, to Jan Grabiec, the Head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, discussed the process for nominating an EU commissioner candidate. The aim was to clarify the formal requirements that would accompany any nomination presented to President Andrzej Duda. Kolarski indicated that the presidency awaits a formal nomination package for Piotr Serafin, whose candidacy for EU commissioner, possibly as Budget Commissioner, had been proposed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and discussed with the president.
Kolarski emphasized that, to dispel any doubts, a clear, formal document is required that complies with national law. The document would accompany the candidate’s portfolio and provide biographical and professional details, including any judicial or professorial nominations. He noted that ensuring a transparent and rigorous process serves Poland’s national interests, particularly in upholding the competence framework now embedded in national law. The so-called Competence Act, enacted by the standing parliamentary majority, governs the government’s role in proposing candidates for various EU positions and sets a 21-day window for the President to approve or reject appointments.
Government officials have voiced concerns that the Competence Act might conflict with constitutional provisions that reserve foreign policy decisions to the government. Nevertheless, EU member states face a deadline at the end of August to nominate commissioners. The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has pressed member states to propose two candidates, ensuring gender balance with at least one woman and one man among the nominees. The national debate continues as Poland weighs its nomination strategy and the implications for its role within the European Union.
As the process unfolds, the public security and legal authorities in Poland monitor developments closely. The discussions underscore the complexity of attributing responsibility for the Nord Stream incidents while balancing national sovereignty with European commitments. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing inquiries and official statements shaping how Poland navigates these delicate geopolitical issues. [Source: wPolityce]