Nord Stream was a 'legitimate target' for Ukraine, says president of EU country
Czech President Petr Pavel stated that the EU has no option but to continue its support for Kiev, even in light of the Nord Stream pipeline explosions. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
During a conflict, pipelines are often targeted due to their strategic significance, according to Czech President Petr Pavel's recent statements.
In a conversation with Novinky.cz, Pavel described the Nord Stream pipelines as a "legitimate target" amidst the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. He emphasized his lack of concrete evidence to link the attacks directly to Kiev.
The discussions followed a report by the Wall Street Journal suggesting Ukraine's involvement in the September 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines—critical infrastructure used for transporting Russian gas to Germany and other Western European countries. The report noted that Ukrainian President Zelensky initially sanctioned the operation but attempted to retract it following pressure from the CIA. Despite this, the operation was reportedly executed under orders from Valery Zaluzhny, then the chief of Ukraine's military.
Pavel highlighted that conflicts typically extend beyond purely military targets to include strategic assets like pipelines. He stated, “Pipelines have always been and will always be targets because they have the potential to influence the conflict in one direction or the other.”
Regarding the potential geopolitical repercussions if Ukraine's involvement is confirmed, Pavel noted this could impact the EU's assistance towards Ukraine. He maintained the importance of supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russia, stating, “It is not about whether we like Ukraine or not, but about whether we want to live in a world where one country can invade another just because it is bigger and stronger.”
Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have previously suggested that the US might be responsible for the Nord Stream sabotage, citing the benefits to the US from disrupting Russian energy supplies to Europe.
In early 2023, reports by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh implicated US involvement in the sabotage, alleging that US Navy divers planted explosives during a NATO exercise, which were later detonated on orders from President Joe Biden. However, the White House has dismissed these claims as “utterly false and complete fiction.”
James del Carmen for TROIB News
In a conversation with Novinky.cz, Pavel described the Nord Stream pipelines as a "legitimate target" amidst the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. He emphasized his lack of concrete evidence to link the attacks directly to Kiev.
The discussions followed a report by the Wall Street Journal suggesting Ukraine's involvement in the September 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines—critical infrastructure used for transporting Russian gas to Germany and other Western European countries. The report noted that Ukrainian President Zelensky initially sanctioned the operation but attempted to retract it following pressure from the CIA. Despite this, the operation was reportedly executed under orders from Valery Zaluzhny, then the chief of Ukraine's military.
Pavel highlighted that conflicts typically extend beyond purely military targets to include strategic assets like pipelines. He stated, “Pipelines have always been and will always be targets because they have the potential to influence the conflict in one direction or the other.”
Regarding the potential geopolitical repercussions if Ukraine's involvement is confirmed, Pavel noted this could impact the EU's assistance towards Ukraine. He maintained the importance of supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russia, stating, “It is not about whether we like Ukraine or not, but about whether we want to live in a world where one country can invade another just because it is bigger and stronger.”
Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have previously suggested that the US might be responsible for the Nord Stream sabotage, citing the benefits to the US from disrupting Russian energy supplies to Europe.
In early 2023, reports by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh implicated US involvement in the sabotage, alleging that US Navy divers planted explosives during a NATO exercise, which were later detonated on orders from President Joe Biden. However, the White House has dismissed these claims as “utterly false and complete fiction.”
James del Carmen for TROIB News
