Hursty
Very difficult to know, and I’m not really across where the reports are coming from or their veracity, but I do know that Russia isn’t a reliable narrator and it is entirely possible to be part of Russia’s continuing campaign of disinformation to lay the blame on the West.
We know the Russian war effort is on its ass and the disruption to Nord Stream was clearly part of their playbook to leverage pressure on Europe.
It would fit the pattern of Russian disinformation to brazenly claim that a European country was responsible, particularly because they will be aware of what came to light concerning Truss’ phone security and after all of Leaky Su’s security breaches.
It would be highly advantageous if Putin could convince the rest of the world that Russia didn’t sabotage Nord Stream in a desperate attempt to apply pressure on Europe (because their campaign in Ukraine is failing) because it allows them to maintain their innocence on a tactic that could escalate the situation by placing the blame on a different country.
While you could interpret Germany declining to say who carried it out as a means of protecting an ally, it could equally be the case that don’t want to worsen their position with Russia.
