Undersea ‘blasts’ recorded at same time Russia-Germany gas pipelines damaged
The Nord Stream pipeline network, part of which supplies Germany with gas from Russia, has been damaged in three places, its operator has said.
The damage to the system on the bed of the Baltic Sea – all caused in one day – was “unprecedented”, Nord Stream AG added.
The Kremlin said it could not rule out sabotage as a cause of the damage, while other authorities are investigating.
The Danish energy authority also said it could be a deliberate act, as any event like this was “extremely rare”.
And a European security source told Reuters: “There are some indications that it is deliberate damage. You have to ask: Who would profit?”
Meanwhile, a reading from a nearby seismograph, which records vibrations on the planet’s surface, was later found to show spikes at similar times to when the losses in pressure in the pipes were first recorded, according to a German geology research centre.
Read more:
How Nord Stream 2 has been controversial from the start
The gas leak at Nord Stream 2 seen from a Danish F-16 interceptor near Bornholm island. Photo: Danish Defence
‘No doubt these were explosions’
Sweden’s national seismology centre said its measurement stations recorded “powerful subsea blasts” in the area where the gas leaks occurred.
Seismologist Bjorn Lund told public broadcaster SVT: “There is no doubt that these were explosions.”
Earlier, Sweden’s Maritime Authority had issued a warning about two leaks in the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which until the Ukraine war provided about 60% of Germany’s gas needs.
On Monday, Denmark issued a warning about a leak in the yet-to-be-opened Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which had been built to boost the amount of Russian gas supplied to Germany.
Workers at the construction site of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline
The leak from Nord Stream 2, southeast of the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea, prompted the setting up of a five nautical mile exclusion zone, to protect shipping from any danger.
The Danes have now marked off the leak from Nord Stream 1, which is also near Bornholm.
Denmark’s energy authority added it expected the leak will continue for several days and perhaps even a week.
Nord Stream AG said it was impossible to estimate when the gas network system would be working again.
“The destruction that occurred on the same day simultaneously on three strings of the offshore gas pipelines of the Nord Stream system is unprecedented,” it said.
“It is not yet possible to estimate the timing of the restoration of the gas transport infrastructure.”
Nord Stream 1’s twin undersea pipelines opened in 2011, with the ability to supply up to 27.5 billion cubic metres of gas a year each.
But since fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the EU’s determination to cut its reliance on Russian gas, flows through the Nord Stream 1 have reduced to zero.
Russia has been accused of using gas supply as a weapon, something Russia blames on Western sanctions. The German government has withheld the licence of Nord Stream 2 because of Russia’s actions.
Despite not carrying gas to Germany and beyond, both pipelines have apparently remained full of gas, which is now leaking into the sea.
It was not immediately clear what consequences would follow, especially as methane in the atmosphere is a driver of climate change. The EU Commission said it would analyse the potential impact.
German environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe said any effects from an explosion would be local and that some gas would dissolve in the sea.
The cut in supplies of Russian gas to Europe is one of the main drivers of higher gas prices that have caused inflation to surge in the UK and elsewhere.
On Tuesday, a ceremony was due to be held to inaugurate a new pipeline, Baltic Pipe, to carry Norwegian gas through Denmark to Poland, which it is hoped will ease some pressure on European gas supplies.
World
European allies not united on armed deployment in Ukraine as Macron announces ‘reassurance force’
Emmanuel Macron has announced a plan for a “reassurance force” with several countries in Ukraine – but not all European allies have backed the idea.
The French president said some nations disagreed on the proposed deployment of an armed force to back up an eventual peace deal in Ukraine, with only some wanting to take part.
“It is not unanimous,” he said during a news conference after the third summit of the so-called “coalition of the willing” on Thursday, with leaders meeting in Paris to coordinate their stance.
Latest: Plan for ‘reassurance force’ announced
But Mr Macron said France and the UK, who are driving the initiative, will work with Ukrainian counterparts to decide where the contingents could be deployed in Ukraine.
“We do not need unanimity to achieve it,” he said.
The summit hosting the leaders of nearly 30 countries, plus NATO and European Union chiefs, comes at a crucial point in the war, which has lasted more than three years.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer – who was also at the meeting – has said Vladimir Putin must be given a deadline to make progress on a Ukraine ceasefire.
Following the summit, the prime minister spoke at a news conference at the UK ambassador’s residence in Paris and accused the Russian president of “playing games” and “playing for time”.
Sir Keir Starmer told reporters that Vladimir Putin was ‘playing games’. Pic: Reuters
He told reporters he would like to see a peace deal in Ukraine develop in a matter of days and weeks instead of months.
When questioned about the “reassurance force”, Sir Keir said it was “designed to deter” Mr Putin and defend whatever peace deal is agreed.
He added: “This will require the engagement and support of the United States”.
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However, Mr Macron was more cautious, suggesting they may have to do without American backing. “We have to be prepared for a situation where perhaps they won’t join in,” he said.
While there were no details about which nations would contribute military assets, Sir Keir did confirm the coalition had “200 planners from 30 countries”.
Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke in Paris. Pic: AP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a positive reaction to the summit, adding there were “a number of countries who are prepared – either through the air or with boots on the ground – to provide security guarantees to Ukraine”.
Sir Keir also confirmed that Parliament would “have a say” if British troops were deployed on a long-term basis.
Donald Trump has said he wants to broker a swift end to the war. But a series of bilateral talks between the US and the warring sides has yet to yield significant results.
Agreements brokered by the US to safeguard shipping in the Black Sea and to halt long-range strikes on energy infrastructure have been widely welcomed as a first step toward peace.
But Ukraine and Russia have disagreed over the details and accused each other of violating the deals.
Emmanuel Macron has said Russia is reinterpreting what was agreed in the Black Sea ceasefire talks – as he met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
Ukraine and Russia agreed to a tentative ceasefire brokered by the US involving the Black Sea and strikes on energy infrastructure on Tuesday.
But drone strikes were reported just hours after the US reached the deals separately with each country, with the mayor of the Ukrainian port city Mykolaiv saying there were emergency power outages after reports seven drones were downed over the region.
“I note today Russia is always tempted to reinterpret what we discuss and agree,” the French president said on Wednesday.
“While saying it wants peace, Russia continues to strike intensely the Ukrainian territory, including civilian targets. These strikes – we condemn them.”
Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelenskyy hug as they meet ahead of a peace and security conference in Paris. Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
Secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the US will evaluate demands made by Russia after Moscow agreed “in principle” to the ceasefire.
Russia also accused Ukraine of targeting energy infrastructure in Crimea, Kursk and Bryansk but this has not been independently verified. Ukraine denied the claims.
Meanwhile, Russia launched its largest drone attack yet on Mr Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, according to the city’s military administration chief.
Macron announces further military support
As Mr Macron announced an additional $2bn of military support for Ukraine, he added that Russia cannot dictate the conditions for a lasting peace in Ukraine.
When questioned on whether sanctions on Russia should be lifted, Mr Macron said it is “much too early”.
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Black Sea ceasefire: Who benefits?
The French president also said that a proposed European armed force for possible deployment in Ukraine in tandem with an eventual peace deal could “respond” to a Russian attack if Moscow launched one.
At a news conference after the meeting of the two leaders, Mr Zelenskyy said that he expects the US will be able to ensure Vladimir Putin accepts a ceasefire.
“We believe America will be strong enough to lead Putin to accept an unconditional ceasefire,” he said.
Read more:
What is in the Black Sea ceasefire?
Moments that shaped Trump-Zelenskyy relationship
Ukraine war Q&A
President Zelenskyy’s trip to Paris comes ahead of a summit of European leaders on Ukraine and security on Thursday.
The so-called “coalition of the willing” nations that are allies of Ukraine will discuss options for a peacekeeping solution for the country after the war ends, with France and Britain leading efforts.
Meanwhile, Mr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff said on Wednesday that US-Ukraine ties were “back on track”.
In an interview with Reuters news agency, Andriy Yermak said two rounds of talks in Saudi Arabia gave Kyiv the chance to show US officials it is open to working with Donald Trump to end the war.
“I think we have great conversations with the Americans. I think we are back on track,” he said.
Relations appeared to hit a new low last month following a disastrous meeting between Mr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump at the White House.
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