Report: Russia May Demand Compensation Over Nord Stream Blasts

Facts

• A Russian diplomat cited by the news agency RIA Novosti indicated that Moscow may seek compensation for damage to the Nord Stream gas pipelines last year. It's unclear, however, whether the projects will proceed.¹
• The Baltic Sea pipelines that connect Russia and Germany were hit by two unexplained blasts last September, in what Moscow called an act of “international terrorism.”²
• The head of Russia's Foreign Ministry department for economic cooperation, Dmitry Birichevsky, said in an interview with the news agency that Russia does "not rule out the possibility of raising the issue of compensation." He didn't identify who Russia might sue, however.³
• He added that Western powers oppose a draft of Russia's Security Council resolution calling for an independent international investigation into the blasts. "Nevertheless, we intend to continue to insist on a full and open international investigation with mandatory participation of Russian representatives," he said.⁴
• Recently, veteran investigative journalist Seymour Hersh accused the US of being behind the attack, while anonymous US officials claimed evidence pointed towards a pro-Ukrainian group. Meanwhile, Denmark and Sweden have cited procedural matters and national regulations as to why they aren’t collaborating with Russia in investigating the attack.⁵

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²Al Jazeera, ³ETEnergyworld, ⁴US Today News, and ⁵Intercept.

Narratives

• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. The West is looking to "whitewash" the attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines and make the topic disappear, but Moscow will not allow that to happen. No one can deny there was anti-Russian sabotage conducted by one or more state actors, and all participants must be held responsible for their actions. Russia has every right to demand compensation for Nord Stream, and the culprits must be identified.
• Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by UN Press. The UN Security Council should show restraint and avoid speculation and unfounded accusations that could further escalate the already heightened tensions in the region. The cause of the pipeline explosions beneath the Baltic Sea remains unclear. The damaged pipelines are likely a result of the war in Ukraine, and one of many risks that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has introduced to the world.