Pistorius was talking after a New York Instances report, citing intelligence reviewed by U.S. officers, mentioned a pro-Ukrainian group could also be behind the blasts that grew to become a flashpoint between the West and Russia after final yr’s Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The report, whereas not pointing to any official Ukrainian involvement, comes at a time when Kyiv is urging its Western allies to ramp up provides of high-end weapons to drive again Russian forces because the warfare enters its second yr.

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Investigations are ongoing as to what prompted the Nord Stream pipelines, supplying Russian power to Europe, to rupture and spew bubbles of pure fuel into the Baltic Sea final September. Western international locations imagine the explosions had been deliberate however haven’t concluded who was behind them.

Russia, which has beforehand blamed the West, seized on the information on Wednesday to demand a clear investigation wherein it additionally desires to take part.

A separate report by Germany’s ARD broadcaster and Zeit newspaper on Tuesday mentioned German authorities had been in a position to establish the boat used for the sabotage operation. It mentioned a gaggle of 5 males and one girl, utilizing cast passports, rented a yacht from a Poland-based firm owned by Ukrainian residents, however the nationality of the perpetrators was unclear.

“We now have to make a transparent distinction whether or not it was a Ukrainian group, whether or not it could have occurred at Ukrainian orders, or a pro-Ukrainian group (performing) with out data of the federal government. However I’m warning in opposition to leaping to conclusions,” Pistorius mentioned on the sidelines of a summit in Stockholm.

Pistorius mentioned earlier the probability was “equally excessive” that it may have been a “false flag operation staged guilty Ukraine”.

Citing Germany’s federal prosecutor, the ntv broadcaster mentioned German investigators had raided a ship in January suspected of involvement however there was no dependable info on perpetrators or motives.