The Czech President, Petr Pavel, has caused considerable controversy with his statements on the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines. As reported POLITICO portal, Pavel considered these strategical infrastructure to be legitimate targets for the attack in the context of the ongoing war on theYisko-Ukrainian, although at the same time noted that there was no evidence of Ukraine's engagement in their destruction.
Pipelines as strategical objectives
In his speech, president Pavel stressed that military and strategical objectives frequently become the subject of attacks in the context of armed conflict. In his opinion, pipelines specified as Nord Stream can be considered strategical objectives due to the fact that they have a direct impact on energy supply and, consequently, on the economics and defence capabilities of the countries active in the conflict.
‘The pipelines are a strategical objective. If the attack were to cut off gas and oil supplies to Europe and return Russia's money, then – and I say hypothetically – that would be a legitimate objective," Pavel said.
Nevertheless, the Czech president has reserved that there is no clear evidence that Ukraine was behind the attacks on Nord Stream, which underlines the importance of reliable investigations in this case.
Political comments
Pavl's speech met with the reactions of politicians in Poland. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, referring to the Nord Stream issue, called on those liable for his uprising to stay silent and apologize.
"To all the initiators and patrons of Nord Stream 1 and 2. The only thing you should do present is apologize and sit still," Tusk wrote on the X platform.
Jacek Siewara, head of the National safety Bureau, besides referred to Tusk, who stated that there is unanimity in Poland on the condemnation of Nord Stream.
International reactions
In consequence to Nord Stream events, Russia calls for authoritative bilateral consultations with Germany. According to TASS, a spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of abroad Affairs, Maria Zacharowa, stressed the request to conduct talks in accordance with the applicable regulations, noting insufficient cooperation by Berlin.
"Russia insists on conducting formal bilateral consultations in accordance with the applicable rules. Incidentally, they are set out in the United Nations anti-terrorism conventions," Zacharova said.
Zacharowa besides pointed out that Berlin does not supply the Russian side with facts available concerning the investigation, which further exacerbates relations on the Moscow-Berlin line.
Controversy around the investigation
German media late reported that Volodymyr Z., a Ukrainian diver suspected of participating in blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipeline, returned to Ukraine from Poland in early July. The Polish prosecution confirmed this information, adding that Germany did not enter his name in the database of wanted persons.
Russia, skeptical of the actions of the German authorities, is afraid that the Nord Stream investigation will end without indicating the perpetrators. The head of the European department of the Russian MFA, Oleg Tiapkin, stressed that Moscow had made authoritative complaints about the matter, including Germany.
Personal Judgements
Former Head of the German national Intelligence Service (BND), August Hanning, besides added his 3 cents to the case, claiming that there was to be an "agreement" concerning the attack on Nord Stream between Volodymyr Zelenski and Andrzej Duda.
"There were agreements between Volodymyr Zelenski and Andrzej Duda on the assassination," said Hanning, but without any evidence to support his words.
Daniel Głogowski
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The Czech president believes that Ukrainian sabotage on Nord Stream was a legitimate objective
