MOSCOW, March 27 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S. has been seeking control over the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, which were damaged by mysterious blast
Russia Accuses US of Seeking Control Over Damaged Nord Stream Gas Pipelines
US Involvement and Control Over Nord Stream Pipelines
Background of the Nord Stream Pipeline Incident
MOSCOW, March 27 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S. has been seeking control over the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, which were damaged by mysterious blast in September 2022.
Explosions that destroyed the pipelines more than three years ago largely severed Russian gas transit to Europe, squeezing energy supplies on the continent although Russia had already largely stopped deliveries.
Sabotage Claims and Investigations
Russia and Western countries have both said the incident was an act of sabotage. Investigators spent years trying to piece together the mystery of who was behind it and last year a Ukrainian man was arrested in Italy on suspicion of coordinating the attacks.
Lavrov's Statements on US Energy Market Dominance
Comparisons with Venezuela and Iran
Speaking to France Televisions on Thursday, Lavrov said the U.S. has been striving to dominate over the global energy markets, citing Venezuela, where Washington has effectively taken under control the world's largest oil reserves, as well as Iran.
US Intentions Regarding Nord Stream
"The United States is also now saying that it wants to take over the Nord Stream pipelines," Lavrov said according to the text of the interview published by Russia's foreign ministry.
He did not provide details.
Recent Developments and Reports
American Investor Interest in Nord Stream 2
The Wall Street Journal reported in 2024 that an American investor, Stephen P. Lynch, was seeking to buy the two-pronged Nord Stream 2 pipeline, one line of which remains intact.
(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
