Nord Stream Pipeline Explosions Continue to Strain European Unity Years Later
BRUSSELS – The unresolved examination into the 2022 explosions that crippled the Nord Stream gas pipelines continues to fuel tensions within Europe, exacerbating existing concerns about unity against Russia and reliance on an unpredictable United States. Despite ongoing inquiries, the incident remains shrouded in mystery, prompting anxieties over energy security and geopolitical stability.
The damage to the Nord Stream pipelines – vital links for Russian gas supply to Europe – has accelerated the continent’s efforts to reduce its dependence on Moscow, but the lack of clarity surrounding the attacks threatens to fracture the alliance at a critical juncture. Russia’s documented history of attempting to sow discord abroad raises questions, even as the Kremlin denies involvement, and the incident has become a point of contention as Europe navigates a new energy landscape and ongoing war in Ukraine.
Lithuanian foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis warned that the Nord Stream incident risks “further questions and maybe fractures within the alliance,” especially “at a time where we’re no longer at peace, that should be remembered.”
Regardless of the outcome of Germany’s judicial investigation, Russian gas is not expected to flow through the Nord Stream pipelines again as it did before 2022. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe has been working to end decades of reliance on Russian gas, a process the loss of Nord Stream has only expedited.
according to EU figures, russia’s share of EU imports of pipeline gas dropped from over 40% in 2021 to approximately 11% in 2024.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated in March, “The right place for Nord Stream 2 is at the bottom of the sea, in pieces.”
