JUST IN: Russian President Vladimir Putin Says CIA Blew Up Nord Stream Pipeline
In the highly anticipated interview with Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the CIA was responsible for the destruction of the Nord Stream pipeline. The statement escalates tensions to the already complex geopolitical puzzle surrounding the incident, which not only resulted in massive environmental damage but also severely disrupted European energy supplies.
In a conversation that touched on various aspects of the incident, Putin explicitly denied any Russian involvement. He countered the allegations by pointing the finger at the United States, stating, “I did not blow up Nord Stream. You personally may have an alibi, but the CIA has no such alibi.” This marked the beginning of a series of remarks aimed at the United States and its intelligence apparatus, suggesting a calculated act rather than an accidental event.
The Russian President elaborated on the rationale behind his accusation by highlighting the necessity of considering “who is interested and who is capable” of executing such an operation. “These two components should be connected,” Putin remarked, implying that few entities other than state-backed organizations could muster the resources for such an endeavor.
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Putin further criticized the West’s control over global narratives, suggesting that presenting evidence against the CIA or NATO would be futile. “It is very difficult to defeat the United States because the United States controls all the world’s media and many European media,” he stated.
Addressing the puzzling silence from Germany, despite the significant economic fallout from the pipeline’s destruction, Putin expressed his bewilderment. “The Germans clearly know that their NATO partner did this… and it damaged their economy greatly. It may never recover. Why are they being silent about it?” he asked.
The pipeline incident refers to the significant damage that occurred to the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September 2022. These pipelines were designed to transport natural gas from Russia to Europe, specifically Germany, bypassing traditional routes through Ukraine and other Eastern European countries. The incident involved several leaks that were discovered on the pipelines, which were subsequently attributed to explosions.
Investigations by European countries, including Sweden and Denmark, indicated that the damage was deliberate, leading to widespread speculation about sabotage. The exact perpetrators and their motives have remained a subject of international speculation and investigation, with various parties suggesting different actors could be responsible, including state and non-state actors.
This significantly escalated tensions amidst the already strained relations between Russia and Western countries, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and broader geopolitical disputes over energy security and supply.
The incident had immediate implications for energy markets and European energy security, exacerbating concerns over gas supplies to Europe, especially as it occurred during a period of heightened energy prices and supply anxieties. European countries have since accelerated efforts to diversify energy sources and increase resilience against potential energy supply disruptions.
Putin’s commentary did not stop at accusations; he also touched on the broader implications for European energy security and economic stability. He lamented the refusal of Germany and other European countries to explore alternative Russian gas supply routes, despite the ongoing energy crisis exacerbated by the pipeline’s destruction.
“Why don’t the Germans say, guys, we give you money and weapons, open up the valve, please, let the gas from Russia pass through for us,” Putin queried. The Russian leader’s accusations add a dramatic twist to the ongoing discourse surrounding the Nord Stream pipeline incident.
