NATO Response Due as Nord Stream Pipeline Explosion Deemed Sabotage

On Thursday morning, NATO officials released a statement concerning the recent Nord stream pipeline explosion, the cause of the blast sabotage.

NATO's official remarks conclude that all currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts

of sabotage. These leaks are causing risks to shipping and substantial environmental damage.

The situation regarding the pipeline has been in contest for some time now as the energy crisis in Europe continues to surmount. Developed initially to deliver gas from rural Russia to other European nations, the pipeline had been shut down since the onset of the war, creating a chokehold in the ensuing energy crisis in Europe. As a result, Western nations have affirmed their commitment to protecting critical infrastructure if Russia were to continue its war westward. On top of an aggressive and unpredictable neighbor to the east, western European countries must contend with economic and energy dilemmas before the winter begins.

While investigations into the apparent sabotage continue, Russia has been the clear suspect in the sabotage. Poland and Ukraine have directly blamed Russia for the attack, while NATO officials have made stark responses in protecting all European infrastructure. In the official statement released this morning, NATO stated, "We, as Allies, have committed to prepare for, deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors. Any deliberate attack against Allies' critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response."

Although western nations blame Russia, the Kremlin has made it clear that it would not benefit themselves to conduct such an attack. A Russian official claimed that the allegations against them are "predictable and predictably stupid." The Kremlin had also made vague accusations toward the U.S by insisting they would be the most to benefit from an attack. The Kremlin had also made it clear that that pipeline region is under heavy control by western security forces.

The United Nations will convene Friday morning at the request of the Russian delegation to discuss these allegations and the pipeline incident. What the response by NATO will be is still undetermined; However, a slew of more sanctions against Russia is expected to be enforced in the upcoming weeks.