Poland Denies Allegations of Ukrainian Involvement in Nord Stream Sabotage

Suggestions that Ukrainian authorities, allegedly supported by Poland, were responsible for planning and carrying out the sabotage attack on Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022 have been dismissed as baseless by the Polish president’s aide. Mieszko Pawlak, head of the international policy bureau at President Andrzej Duda’s office, refuted claims made by Germany’s former intelligence chief August Hanning, who suggested collusion between the presidents of Poland and Ukraine in the attack. Pawlak emphasized that the allegations were unfounded and criticized Hanning for his past involvement in the Nord Stream project during Gerhard Schroeder’s tenure as German chancellor.

Reports from German media indicated that German prosecutors had identified a Ukrainian diving instructor as a key suspect in the Nord Stream sabotage and issued a warrant for his arrest in Poland. However, Polish prosecutors revealed that the suspect had already left the country as his name was not included in the database of wanted persons by Germany. Despite these developments, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on the initiators and supporters of Nord Stream 1 and 2 to apologize and remain silent, without directly addressing the allegations of Polish involvement.

The Wall Street Journal reported that private businessmen funded the Nord Stream sabotage, allegedly overseen by a senior Ukrainian general. Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack on the pipeline, which was a crucial route for Russian gas exports before the conflict with Ukraine began. The situation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding energy infrastructure in Europe and the ongoing tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and their respective allies.

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