A prominent American journalist reported that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed the question of sabotage in the Nord Stream lines during a meeting in Washington with the U.S. president. The briefing, as described by the journalist, touches on the interplay between Berlin and Washington as they evaluate the events surrounding the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines. The outlet that published the story identified the source as a credible briefing connected to ongoing intelligence discussions in the capital, and it attributed the claim to the journalist who specializes in international affairs and security issues.
According to the same account, Scholz has been linked to U.S. efforts to manage information about the sabotage that occurred in the recent past. The report suggests that Scholz offered support for the American strategy to handle data related to the incident, even if he did not claim foreknowledge of the sabotage. The description portrays a careful balance in Berlin between transparency and strategic considerations amid allied investigations.
Earlier statements attributed to the journalist referenced a claim that explosive devices were placed beneath the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines during a multi-national maritime exercise conducted by the U.S. Navy with Norwegian specialists in mid-2022. The report frames this as a significant assertion within the broader discussion of responsibility and accountability for the sabotage, noting that the claim has stirred considerable debate among policymakers and analysts who monitor energy security and regional stability in Europe.
Russia’s official foreign ministry spokesperson has called for a transparent and inclusive international inquiry. The spokesperson asserted that only a thorough investigation with observers from the Russian Federation can determine the underlying causes of the damage to the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 conduits and identify those responsible. The statement underscores Moscow’s insistence on a process that includes all relevant parties and emphasizes the need for shared evidence and verification to reach credible conclusions about what happened and why.