France accuses Russia of pressuring Nord Stream probe at UN Security Council

The French representative made the statement at a UN Security Council meeting convened by Russia to discuss the investigation of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipeline explosions, Ukrinform reports.

"German, Swedish, and Danish judicial authorities are independent. Their investigations follow the fundamental principles of the rule of law. We cannot say that they lack transparency," the statement emphasized.

The French delegation also stressed that Russia is trying to divert the Security Council’s and the international community’s attention from its actions and pressure the investigation.

The meeting "only illustrates Russia’s willingness to distract the Security Council and the international community." Russia has repeatedly tried to pressure German investigators, the statement added, calling it unacceptable.

Participants were reminded that Swedish and Danish prosecutors completed their own investigations as early as February last year, while Germany continues its proceedings, including the detention of one of the suspects in the case.

“We also emphasize the contradiction between Russia’s concern over attacks on European critical infrastructure and its continued systematic, deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure,” the statement said.

France noted that the international community seeks “a just and lasting peace,” while Russia attempts to distract attention and continue its aggression.

“While Ukraine is ready for negotiations, Russia is once again trying to divert our attention. Its only goal is to continue its aggression,” the French statement concluded.

Nord Stream sabotage

On the night of September 26, 2022, a sudden pressure drop occurred in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. By September 27, it became known that, on the eve of the Baltic pipeline launch into the Baltic Sea, gas had leaked from the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Experts determined that on September 26, an industrial-type explosion of about 700 kg TNT equivalent occurred along the routes of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg then called the incident sabotage.

U.S. and German media investigated the Nord Stream accident, suggesting the involvement of pro-Ukrainian forces, but officials from the countries and NATO advised waiting for the official investigation results.

Later, on March 16, it became known that Denmark would not allow Russian representatives to participate in the investigation of the underwater pipeline explosions. On April 27, Denmark confirmed that the Russian special vessel SS-750 had been near the Nord Stream pipeline four days before the pipes were blown up.

On Saturday, June 10, The Wall Street Journal published an article stating that those who carried out the sabotage of the pipelines may have used Poland as a base for the attack. The article cited an analysis of data from the yacht Andromeda, which was allegedly used to carry out the pipeline explosions. According to the data, the vessel entered Polish waters, deviating from its course.

On June 11, Poland’s government commissioner for information security and spokesperson for the Minister-Coordinator for Special Services, Stanisław Żaryn, denied any Polish involvement in the Nord Stream sabotage.

On August 21, 2025, Italian police arrested a Ukrainian citizen suspected of involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline explosion. During the court hearing, he denied the charges and refused extradition to Germany.