Xinhua News Agency, Berlin, September 25 (International Observer) Why is the truth still unclear on the first anniversary of Bei Xi’s “suspicious cloud”?
Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Chao
A year ago, the “Nord Stream” pipeline, which transports natural gas from Russia to Europe via the Baltic Sea, suffered an explosion. Since then, relevant parties have made various analyzes and interpretations, and revelations have continued to be made during the investigation, but the truth of the incident has not yet surfaced.
Analysts pointed out that for European countries, there are sensitive issues in the investigation of the Nord Stream incident, and even if the truth is found, it will be difficult to announce it. Europe has become the biggest victim of this incident. Its economy has been hit hard and its dependence on the United States has deepened. It may be more difficult to achieve “strategic autonomy.”
The three theories are confusing
On September 26 last year, the “Nord Stream-1” and “Nord Stream-2” natural gas pipelines connecting Russia and Germany exploded and leaked, rendering them unusable. After the incident, all parties basically believed that the explosion was caused by man-made sabotage. There are currently three main theories as to who is behind the scenes.
This aerial photo released by the Danish Ministry of Defense on September 27, 2022 shows a leakage point of the “Nord Stream” natural gas pipeline. Published by Xinhua News Agency (Photo courtesy of the Danish Ministry of Defense)
In the early days of the incident, some Western media and politicians pointed the finger at Russia, saying that Russia threatened Europe by blowing up pipelines and cutting off the supply of natural gas to Europe. Russia firmly denied this and believed that there were “traces of the West” behind the explosion. Many analysts pointed out that Russia only needs to close the pipeline valve to cut off the supply. By retaining the pipeline, it can also use the restoration of gas supply as a bargaining chip with Europe. The accusations of blaming Russia have since died down.
The second theory points to the United States. In February this year, Seymour Hersh, a well-known American investigative journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner, broke the news that the bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline was caused by the United States. First, the U.S. Navy sent a number of divers to plant the explosives, and a few months later, a Norwegian Navy aircraft dropped a sonobuoy to detonate the explosives. Hersh also provides a lot of details. The United States hopes to attract European countries to jointly fight against Russia and cut off the close energy cooperation between Russia and Europe, especially Russia and Germany, and it has the ability to carry out such sabotage activities. Therefore, this statement has been recognized by many public opinion, but the United States refuses to acknowledge it.
A third theory points to Ukraine. The New York Times in the United States, Der Spiegel in Germany and other media reported that the explosion may have been carried out by a Ukrainian group, and the Ukrainian government may not be aware of it. In response, Ukrainian President Zelensky said that he did not order the incident. The Russian side believes that blowing up the Nord Stream pipeline can only be a state action. It is difficult for non-governmental groups to have the ability to carry out such high-level destruction. The relevant reports in the Western media are to cover up the real culprits.
Highly sensitive truth is difficult to express
After the explosion, Denmark, Sweden and Germany launched investigations respectively, but refused Russia’s participation, and the investigation progress was very slow. The three countries stated in their submission to the United Nations Security Council not long ago that all investigations have not yet been completed, and the completion time is still uncertain.
Germany’s “Der Spiegel” pointed out the logic behind the cautious attitude of European countries: If Russia is behind the scenes, will this move be regarded as an act of war? If it’s the United States, does that mean the end of the transatlantic partnership? If it is Ukraine, should European countries stop providing arms support to Ukraine?
Although the German media carefully mentioned the above three possibilities, many experts believe that the second one is the most likely. Josep Puigese, a Spanish expert on Russia, believes that the “Nord Stream” incident was directed by the United States to break Germany’s dependence on Russian natural gas.
Regarding the slow progress of the investigation, Russian military expert Viktor Litovkin pointed out that investigations by European countries will reveal the crimes of the United States, but they do not want to provoke the United States, and it is almost impossible to bring the United States to justice. Therefore, the West has long-term There was silence on the matter.
The Washington Post quoted a European diplomat as saying that when European and NATO policymakers met, they abided by an unspoken agreement not to talk about Nord Stream. People are not feeling well” answer. The report pointed out that officials in Western countries had no intention of finding out the truth about the explosion because they “would rather not know” who the culprit was than find out that their allies were responsible for the explosion.
Economic setbacks make it more difficult to be “autonomous”
An important channel for Russia’s cheap energy to enter Europe was destroyed, and the European countries were most affected. Taking Germany as an example, after losing the possibility of resuming natural gas imports from Russia in the short term, Germany shifted its supply sources to countries such as Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates.
This is the “Nord Stream-1” natural gas pipeline related facilities photographed in Lubmen, Germany on September 14, 2022.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ren Pengfei
At the same time, U.S. natural gas supplies to Europe have also increased significantly. In June 2022, the United States supplied more natural gas to Europe than Russia for the first time. As of April this year, the United States provided 50% of the EU’s total LNG imports.
Despite some countermeasures, Europe will still be unable to escape energy cost pressures in the short term. According to a report on the French “Express” website, the price for the EU to abandon Russian natural gas is as high as 811 billion euros.
In addition, the energy crisis has accelerated the exodus of European businesses. The Wall Street Journal of the United States pointed out that high gas prices have forced European companies to transfer production to the United States, which may lead Europe to enter a “new era of deindustrialization.”
In this regard, Russian political commentator Sergei Korneyevsky believes that the United States deliberately prevents Russia from supplying natural gas to Europe because the United States realizes that Russia-EU energy cooperation will enhance Europe’s industrial potential and improve Europe’s role in international politics and politics. influence in the economy.
The difficulties facing Europe have led some European politicians to reconsider “strategic autonomy.” Nancy Feser, the German Minister of the Interior and Homeland, said that behind the Nord Stream bombing was the question of “how do we protect ourselves?”
However, analysts pointed out that the Ukraine crisis has made Europe more dependent on the United States for defense and economy. In addition, European companies have moved to the United States amid the energy crisis, making it more difficult for Europe to achieve “strategic autonomy.” How to deal with the investigation results of the “Nord Stream” pipeline explosion incident will test the determination and capabilities of European countries’ “strategic independence.” As Li Xing, professor of international relations at the Department of Politics and Society at Aalborg University in Denmark, said, Europeans will face a moment when they have to make a decision. (Participating reporters: Chen Ting, He Miao, Fu Yiming, Kang Yi, Hu Jiaqi)
【Error correction】
[Editor in charge: Feng Li]
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2023-09-25 16:01:58
