MOSCOW – Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the United States of attempting to seize control of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline network in the Baltic Sea, according to statements made during a television interview on Thursday.
The pipeline system suffered catastrophic damage from unexplained explosions in September 2022, effectively cutting off most Russian gas deliveries to European nations. The blasts occurred more than three years ago and severely disrupted energy supplies across the continent, though Russia had already significantly reduced shipments by that time.
Both Russian officials and Western nations have characterized the pipeline destruction as deliberate sabotage. Investigators have spent considerable time attempting to determine responsibility for the attacks, leading to the arrest of a Ukrainian suspect in Italy last year on charges of orchestrating the operation.
During his appearance on France Televisions, Lavrov claimed America seeks to control international energy markets, pointing to situations in Venezuela and Iran as examples. He alleged Washington has gained influence over Venezuela’s massive oil reserves, which are considered the world’s largest.
“The United States is also now saying that it wants to take over the Nord Stream pipelines,” Lavrov stated, according to interview transcripts released by Russia’s foreign ministry.
The Russian official offered no additional specifics to support his allegations.
Reports from The Wall Street Journal in 2024 indicated that American businessman Stephen P. Lynch was pursuing acquisition of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline system, which consists of two lines with one remaining undamaged.
