![]() ![]() ![]() Putin's Russia has prepared for a big showdown with the US and the West, at least judging from the Kremlin's posture, said Chinese experts. On Friday, four regions in south-eastern Ukraine will be incorporated into Russian territory. "When an investigation is held hostage by politics, truth may be hidden," said Song, noting that the Nord Stream pipeline leaks may represent a turning point in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In response, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, "the President said that NS2 wouldn't become operational and we would work with Germany on that." She also denied the allegation that the US is responsible with a simple "No." She also demanded US President Joe Biden issue a reply as to whether the US had carried out its threat over the pipelines when officials in Washington asserted early this year that Nord Stream 2 would never come into service. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that the place where the pipeline took place is an area fully controlled by US intelligence agencies. The US and Russia are already engaged in a war of words over the issue. Song Zhongping, a mainland military expert and TV commentator, believes that the pipeline leaks are not only an issue about energy, but more about political rivalry. NATO could carry out collective defense based on Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty if allies' critical infrastructure comes under attack, but before the perpetrator is identified, NATO's statement is merely political posturing, they said. NATO on Thursday released a statement on the Nord Stream pipeline leaks, calling it "the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage." It also said, "Any deliberate attack against Allies' critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response." But Chinese experts said NATO's statement came too early, as the truth behind the leaks is yet to surface, and by releasing such a statement, NATO wants to absolve responsibility on the issue and take the high moral ground, so that it could continue to work on its strategic goal of containing Russia and controlling Europe. The two Nord Stream gas pipelines linking Russia and Europe have been hit by unexplained leaks, raising suspicions of sabotage. A picture released by the Danish Defence Command shows the gas leak at the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline seen from the Danish F-16 interceptor on Bornholm, Denmark on September 27, 2022. ![]()
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