German Def Min Warns Against Nord Stream Sabotage Assumptions

Ahead of an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Stockholm, Germany's Boris Pistorius stated that people should not be "jumping to conclusions" regarding stories published on 7 March by a number of outlets stating that intelligence reviewed by US officials suggested that a pro-Ukraine group could be behind the Nord Stream sabotage in Sep 2022. Pistorius: "We have to make a clear distinction whether it was a Ukrainian group, whether it may have happened at Ukrainian orders, or a pro-Ukrainian group [acting] without knowledge of the government..."

• Pistorius added that the operation could also be a 'false flag' attack by Russia intended to damage relations between Kyiv and the West. There is a concern that German public sentiment could turn against Ukraine if it is proved that Kyiv orchestrated or had knowledge of the attack.
• Comes as German federal prosecutors state that in January they searched a ship in connection with a suspicious ship rental linked to the NS explosions. Prosecutors said that the evaluation of traces and objects seized from the ship was ongoing, and that they were also investigating the identity of perpetrators and their motives. Added that 'there is no suspicion against employees of the German company that rented the ship', implying that foreign nationals are under investigation.