NATO maneuvers and Nord Stream investigations: the thorns in Russia’s side

The Russian government has accused NATO of violating the Treaty for the total ban on nuclear tests (CTBT) with the maneuvers started yesterday, as both states with atomic bombs and states that do not have nuclear bombs are involved. The exercises, in which 14 countries participate and which will last until October 30, are aimed at ensuring “that nuclear deterrence remains safe and effective”, spokeswoman for the Atlantic Alliance Oana Lungescu explained in recent days. However, the head of the Russian delegation in Vienna in charge of arms control, Konstantin Gavrilov, believes that NATO violates the treaty “because it involves troops from countries without nuclear weapons” who would share “codes, passwords and aircraft” with countries that do not. The maneuvers take place in Belgium, the North Sea and the United Kingdom and involve some 60 aircraft, including fourth and fifth generation fighters and US B-52 long-range bombers. NORD STREAM – Then there is Moscow’s regret over the investigation into the explosions at Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 without Russia. “We can only express regret that the whole investigation process is taking place in a very closed mode, without us being able to participate, without interaction with the Russian side, which is co-owner of these pipelines,” said the Kremlin spokesman. Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Ria Novosti. Investigation that, according to “the statements we hear, from Germany, France, Denmark, is a priori adapted to attribute responsibility to Russia. It is absurd”, Peskov accused. Copenhagen, gas leaks from Nord Streams 1 and 2 in the Baltic Sea were caused by “powerful explosions”. Yesterday, German investigators stated that the damage to the pipelines was probably caused by sabotage, a hypothesis very close to that which Sweden has also arrived at.