Russia, Sweden and the push for a transparent probe into Nord Stream sabotage
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, stated that Sweden issued an official response to the April 12 memo advocating a broad international inquiry into the Nord Stream attacks. This remark came during a televised briefing, with YouTube cited as the platform where the briefing appeared. The gist of Zakharova’s message is that Moscow had previously submitted a letter from Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin dated October 5, 2022, along with notes from the Russian Foreign Ministry, which she described as receiving little to no meaningful reaction from Swedish authorities.
Zakharova underscored that the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied to the Russian note of April 12 by pressing for information on the progress of work to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged terrorist acts against Nord Stream and the individuals involved. She noted that the Swedish response represented a call for a comprehensive international sabotage investigation, insisting that experts from Russia participate as required. The diplomat depicted the move as a repetition of familiar patterns, describing it as a loop of replies that hinge on prior correspondence without delivering substantive engagement.
In parallel commentary, the former Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed the call for transparency in the probe into the sabotage of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines. He stressed that the investigation must be open to scrutiny and conducted with clear accountability. Peskov’s remarks reflected a belief that a transparent process would better illuminate the facts and build public trust in the outcome.
A spokesman for Keremli also touched on the ongoing discussions, mentioning that Moscow’s insistence on an objective investigation into the gas pipeline sabotage has been met with silence. The representative characterized the lack of visible movement as a sign that there is no hesitation or fear about pursuing a rigorous, credible inquiry. This framing suggests a desire to move the matter beyond rhetoric and into a tangible, verifiable examination of all relevant evidence.
Across these statements, the central thread is a insistence on international cooperation and a demand for a clear, verifiable process that includes Russian participation. The communication highlights a tension between calls for swift accountability and the procedural boundaries some state actors set when responding to foreign inquiries about such a sensitive incident. Analysts note that the issue sits at the intersection of energy security, international law, and regional diplomacy, making the resolution of the Nord Stream questions particularly consequential for European gas supply and broader geopolitical stability. The exchange of letters and public replies illustrates how different governments frame the investigation and what they regard as acceptable terms for collaboration. The overarching implication is a push toward a more transparent, jointly supervised inquiry that can withstand international scrutiny, while navigating the political sensitivities inherent in this high-stakes matter.