Lavrov Claims U.S. Seeks Control Over Damaged Nord Stream Pipelines

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the United States of pursuing dominance over the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, which were severely damaged by underwater explosions in September 2022. The blasts effectively cut off a major Russian gas supply route to Europe, deepening the continent's energy crisis at a time when Moscow had already significantly reduced its deliveries.

Both Russia and Western nations have confirmed the incident was deliberate sabotage, though the identity of those responsible remained elusive for years. Investigations stretched on until a significant breakthrough came when Italian authorities arrested a Ukrainian national suspected of coordinating the attacks.

In a recent interview with France Televisions, Lavrov argued that Washington has long pursued a strategy of controlling global energy markets. He pointed to Venezuela, where U.S. actions have given it effective influence over the world's largest proven oil reserves, and Iran as additional examples of American energy geopolitics. "The United States is also now saying that it wants to take over the Nord Stream pipelines," Lavrov stated, according to remarks published by Russia's Foreign Ministry. He offered no further specifics to substantiate the claim.

The accusation aligns with a 2024 Wall Street Journal report revealing that American investor Stephen P. Lynch had been exploring the purchase of Nord Stream 2, a dual-line pipeline of which one section remains structurally undamaged following the blasts.

The Nord Stream controversy continues to sit at the intersection of global energy security, geopolitical rivalry, and unresolved legal accountability. As tensions between Russia and Western powers persist, questions surrounding pipeline ownership, energy independence, and the long-term impact on European gas supplies remain critical topics for policymakers, energy markets, and international observers alike.