Russia claims US seeks control of Nord Stream pipelines

Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Thursday that the United States has been seeking to gain control over the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. These pipelines were severely damaged by mysterious explosions in September 2022, an event that largely severed Russian gas transit to Europe and squeezed energy supplies across the continent. Both Moscow and Western nations have characterized the incident as a deliberate act of sabotage.

Investigators have spent years attempting to identify the perpetrators behind the attack. Last year, authorities in Italy arrested a man from Ukraine on suspicion of coordinating the sabotage. While the investigation continues to piece together the events, the geopolitical fallout remains a point of intense friction between the Kremlin and Washington.

Speaking to France Televisions, Lavrov asserted that the American government is striving for dominance over global energy markets. He cited Venezuela, where he claimed Washington has effectively taken control of the world's largest oil reserves, and Iran as examples of this trend. Lavrov further claimed that the U.S. now has its sights set on the damaged Baltic infrastructure.

"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.

While the Foreign Minister did not provide specific details for his claim, the comments follow a 2024 report by the Wall Street Journal regarding interest from private American investors. The report indicated that Stephen P. Lynch, an investor from the United States, was seeking to purchase the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, one line of which remains intact despite the sabotage three years ago.