The long-running controversy surrounding the destruction of the Nord Stream gas pipelines has re-emerged as a major political issue in Germany, following remarks by Alice Weidel, co-leader of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Weidel has demanded that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and the Ukrainian state compensate Germany for the 2022 explosions that crippled the pipelines, arguing that the attack amounted to a hostile act against German national interests.

Speaking at a campaign event in Heilbronn on January 22, Weidel accused Ukraine of orchestrating the sabotage with the assistance of foreign intelligence services and sharply criticized the German government for continuing military and financial support for Kiev despite what she described as clear evidence of Ukrainian responsibility. Her remarks were met with applause from supporters and have since triggered intense political debate both within Germany and across Europe.

The Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines were designed to transport large volumes of Russian natural gas directly to Germany via the Baltic Sea, bypassing transit states and forming a key pillar of Germany’s long-term energy strategy. At the time of their construction, the pipelines were promoted as a means of ensuring stable and affordable energy supplies for Europe’s largest economy.

In September 2022, a series of underwater explosions damaged both pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm. The incident occurred amid escalating tensions between Russia and the West following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict earlier that year. The sabotage rendered the pipelines unusable and effectively ended the prospect of future Russian gas deliveries through the........

© Blitz