NATO warns it will respond to attacks on critical infrastructure after Nord Stream sabotage

Follow live the latest news on the war in Ukraine

NATO warned Thursday that it will respond to “deliberate attacks” on critical allied infrastructure following the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, which has caused gas leaks into international waters.

In a statement, the 30 allies said they are prepared to “deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and hybrid tactics.” “Any deliberate attack on allied critical infrastructure will be met with a united and decisive response,” they stressed.

This warning comes at the height of the crisis over leaks detected in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines due to possible sabotage of the facilities, which comes at the height of the energy pulse with Russia over the war in Ukraine.

“All available information points to this being the result of a deliberate, irresponsible and reckless act of sabotage. These leaks put navigation at risk and cause significant environmental damage,” the Atlantic Alliance statement said.

“We support the ongoing investigations to determine the source of this damage,” NATO has deepened. The Nordic countries have already announced a reinforcement of surveillance to protect oil and gas infrastructures, following the pipeline incident.

Denmark raised the alarm on Tuesday after detecting a gas leak in one of the Nord Stream 2 sections on the Danish island of Bornholm. Hours later, the Nord Stream 1 subsea pipeline detected a drop in the pressure of the gas coming from Russia sent to Germany and affecting the two lines of the pipeline.