Former US senator calls Nord Stream explosions devastating for EU

Former US Senator from Virginia and retired Colonel Richard Black has described the Nord Stream explosions as "devastating" for the EU.

His comments on the subject came unexpectedly during a recent interview with the Dialogue Works YouTube channel, Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian media.

Black emphasised that the Nord Stream explosions delivered a severe blow to Europe rather than to Russia.

“We believed these actions would advance Ukraine’s position in the conflict. However, while Russia was not significantly harmed, the explosions had a devastating impact on the European economy, plunging Germany into recession,” he added.

Black asserted that the US orchestrated a provocation during the conflict in Ukraine. The explosions on the Russian export gas pipelines occurred on September 26, 2022. At the time, Nord Stream AG, the operator of the Nord Stream pipelines, reported that the damage was unprecedented and that the repair timeline was uncertain.

The undersea explosions shortly after midnight on September 26, 2022, ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, Russia's primary natural gas supply route to Germany until Russia halted supplies at the end of the previous month.

The blasts also damaged the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which had never been operational due to Germany suspending its certification process just before the Ukraine invasion.

The explosions occurred approximately 80 meters (260 feet) underwater on the Baltic Sea floor. Seismic measurements indicated that the explosions happened shortly before unexplained leaks were discovered.