Trump claims to know Nord Stream saboteurs amid ongoing probe
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday that many people are aware of who was responsible for the explosion of the Nord Stream pipelines. He also noted that he was the first to disrupt the Baltic transmission networks by imposing sanctions on them. An investigation is underway into the destruction of the infrastructure at the start of the war in Ukraine.
According to media reports, German investigators suspect that a group of Ukrainians, acting under the orders of Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, then the Supreme Commander of the Ukrainian army, is responsible for the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Investigations in Denmark and Sweden were closed, and the evidence was handed over to Germany, where the investigation is still ongoing.
On Monday, Donald Trump expressed his belief that many people know who is behind the destruction of the pipelines. During an interview with a journalist from the pro-Russian portal ZeroHedge, he stated that he could obtain this information without the need for a costly investigation.
Trump recalled that he was the first to "blow up" the Nord Stream project by imposing sanctions on it during his presidency from 2017 to 2021. The U.S. President emphasized that he did not allow the construction of the pipelines, which had a significant impact on their future.
What’s next for Nord Stream 1 and 2?
Nord Stream 1 and 2 are networks of pipelines on the Baltic seabed connecting Russia and Germany, which are currently inactive. Moreover, the NS2 line was never launched because the infrastructure certification did not occur after the Russian military began its assault on Ukraine.
According to information from Politico in April, there is a discussion in the White House regarding lifting sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline and Russia's energy industry. These reports were denied by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called them "unequivocally false."
Vice-Chancellor and German Economy Minister Robert Habeck firmly rejected the possibility of resuming Russian gas supplies through the Nord Stream pipelines in March. He warned that returning to dependence on Russia is "completely the wrong direction" and reminded of the 2022 lesson when the Kremlin used energy as blackmail against Western Europe.
Peace talks
In the context of the war in Ukraine, Trump noted on Monday that falling oil prices, which have reached $55 per barrel, put the U.S. in a good position to end the conflict.
Trump argued that both Russia and Ukraine are seeking to reach a deal, and claimed that without his presidency, no negotiations would be taking place.
The U.S. President also referred to Russian leader Vladimir Putin's proposal for a three-day ceasefire. Trump regarded it as a significant step, even though it is not a long period. The proposal from the Kremlin was related to the anniversary of the end of World War II.
