France accuses Russia of pressuring investigation into Nord Stream blasts
Illustrative photo: offshore section of the Nord Stream gas pipeline (Getty Images)
France urged Russia not to interfere in the investigation of the Nord Stream explosions and condemned Russian strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure, according to Ukrinform.
On August 26, Russia convened a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the investigations into the explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines.
During the session, France’s representative accused Moscow of exerting pressure on the probes.
"German, Swedish, and Danish judicial authorities are independent. Their investigations follow the fundamental principles of the rule of law. We cannot say that they lack transparency," the statement said.
The French delegation stressed that Moscow is trying to divert the Security Council and the international community from its own actions while putting pressure on investigators.
The representative added that the meeting "only illustrates Russia’s willingness to distract the Security Council and the international community." She noted that Russia had repeatedly tried to influence German investigators, calling it unacceptable.
Participants were reminded that prosecutors in Sweden and Denmark closed their investigations in February 2024, while Germany continues its probe and has even detained one suspect.
"We also underline the contradiction between Russia’s concerns about attacks on European critical infrastructure and its continued systematic, deliberate strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure," the statement said.
France added that the international community seeks "a just and lasting peace," while Russia continues to fuel conflict and deflect attention.
"While Ukraine shows readiness for negotiations, Russia once again tries to shift the focus. Its only goal is to prolong the aggression," the French delegation declared.
Nord Stream incidents
On September 26, 2022, explosions occurred on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, forcing the lines to halt operations. Several European countries launched their own investigations, but no perpetrators have been officially identified.
According to media reports, days before the blasts, a vessel called Andromeda was in the area. It had been rented by Poland, and its owners were two Ukrainian nationals. Unofficial information suggested the sabotage was carried out by a group of six people.
On August 21, 2025, Ukrainian citizen Serhiy Kuznetsov was detained in Italy at the request of German authorities, who suspect him of organizing the blasts.
At a court hearing, Kuznetsov denied involvement in the pipeline explosions and refused extradition to Germany, claiming he had been in Ukraine at the time of the incident. The next court hearing is scheduled for September 3.
