Dmitry Birichevsky, who leads the Department of Economic Cooperation at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussed the matter in an interview about the ongoing debates surrounding the Nord Stream system and the potential for compensation claims related to damage to its underwater gas pipelines. He noted that amid growing scrutiny following an investigative report by American journalist Seymour Hersh, the Permanent Mission prepared a draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an autonomous international inquiry into the incident.
Birichevsky emphasized that Western nations have repeatedly hindered progress on the draft resolution, labeling the obstacles as deliberate obstruction. He stressed that Moscow would persist in its demand for a transparent global inquiry that must include the Russian side as a mandatory participant, arguing that Russia has a legitimate stake in fully understanding what happened and ensuring any findings reflect all relevant perspectives.
On the preceding day, Konstantin Kosachev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Federation Council, suggested that a binding agreement to safeguard underwater pipelines should be developed as part of the broader effort to prevent similar incidents. The proposal reflects a sense of urgency about protecting critical undersea infrastructure and establishing clear international standards for its defense.
Context for these discussions has grown from a February report by Hersh, which alleged that divers employed by the United States placed explosives along gas pipelines during a NATO exercise in mid-2022. According to Hersh, Norwegian operators remotely activated the devices later that year. The assertions have fueled a sustained debate about responsibility and the appropriate channels for inquiry, with Russia urging a thorough, multi-party investigation that can withstand independent verification.