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German authorities believe that leaks detected on Nord Stream 1 and 2 in Baltic waters have rendered the Russian pipeline forever unusable, reports Der Tagesspiegel, citing German government sources.
According to ongoing assessments, the damage cannot be repaired quickly and seawater will seep into the pipelines, leading to irreversible corrosion, the newspaper said.
The Danish government warned as early as Wednesday that the investigation of the three leaks in the Baltic Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines may be delayed for several weeks until it is safe to carry out an inspection of the area.
All three leaks occurred in international waters: two in the Danish and one in the Swedish exclusive economic zone.
The Swedish Coast Guard also reported on Wednesday that the gas flow in the area continues at the same strength as yesterday, contrary to the claims of the Danish Energy Directorate.
German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht today attributed the leaks detected on Nord-Stream 1 and 2 to “possible sabotage.”
Even yesterday, the German Minister of Economics and Climate Protection, Robert Habeck, had shied away from speculating on the causes of the leaks, arguing that it was premature to do so.
Subsequently, both the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, and her Swedish counterpart, Magdalena Andersson, stated in separate appearances before the media that everything pointed to a “deliberate” act and possible sabotage.
The European Union (EU) also warned on Wednesday that it will react with a “strong and united response” to any “deliberate disruption of European energy infrastructure” after the three leaks detected yesterday in Baltic waters.
Both pipelines were out of service. Nord Stream 1, which had become operational in 2011, interrupted supplies weeks ago after Russia alleged an oil leak at the only Russian compressor station still operating.
Nord Stream 2, whose construction began in 2011, never became operational, as Germany suspended the permitting process following Moscow’s recognition of the self-proclaimed separatist republics of Donbas.
