U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded to the reported explosions at the Nord Stream pipelines by saying that it is a “tremendous opportunity” for European nations to “remove dependence” on Russian natural gas.
“I think first it’s important to make clear that these pipelines—that is, Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2—were not pumping gas into Europe at this time,” Blinken said in remarks over the weekend in Washington. “Nord Stream 2 never became operational, as is well known. Nord Stream 1 has been shut down for weeks because of Russia’s weaponization of energy.”
Alleged undersea blasts that damaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines last week have led to huge methane leaks. Nordic investigators said the blasts involved several hundred pounds of explosives….