Ukraine was not involved in the 2022 explosions targeting the Nord Stream gas pipelines, deactivating them, the country’s Prosecutor General said on Thursday.
The statement comes as a former Ukrainian soldier faces trial in Germany accused of being an accomplice to war crimes and plotting the bombings. The defendant, Serhiy K., denies the allegations.
Berlin believes the bombings were ordered by Ukrainian state entities, which it has not specified.
What did Ukraine say on the Nord Stream blasts?
In a statement on Thursday, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General said its investigation had so far found no evidence of Kiev’s involvement, neither at the level of official entities nor at the level of individual officials.
“At the same time, the investigation into these circumstances has not yet been completed, and the necessary evidence is still being collected and examined,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.
The Prosecutor General proposed forming a joint investigation team with Berlin to further investigate the issue. The office said it would continue to cooperate with German authorities on the matter.
“Ukraine is ready to help clarify all the facts of the case,” the office said.
What do we know about the Nord Stream explosions?
The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines were established to deliver Russian gas to Germany and other countries in Europe.
Nord Stream 2 had yet to enter service when, in September 2022, months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and subsequent European sanctions on Russian oil exports, both pipelines were the subject of sabotage explosions.
Sehri’s. was arrested in Italy last summer and transferred to Germany in November.
German prosecutors allege that he collaborated with other Ukrainian military personnel to plan and carry out the 2022 attacks while he was an active army officer.
Prosecutors argue that the goal was to permanently disrupt gas deliveries and cut off Russia’s war financing.
Edited by: Zack Crellin
Don’t let algorithms hide news. If you trust our team for reliable reporting, please take a moment to select us as your preferred source on Google click here And press the “Star” or “Favorite” button so you always see our verified news first.