Russia Accuses US, Ukraine of Plotting to Sabotage TurkStream Pipeline
The Facts
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the US of encouraging terrorist activities aimed at undermining EU energy stability, alleging that Washington is pushing Ukraine to disable the TurkStream natural gas pipeline.
TurkStream, spanning 930 km (580 miles) under the Black Sea from Russia to Turkey, remains one of Russia's last operational routes for delivering gas to southern and southeastern Europe after Ukraine decided not to renew a transit contract before 2025.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
As was the case with the Nordstream pipeline, this attack was a classic example of Ukrainian energy terrorism with the support of the US. The saddest part of all is that European nations, from Hungary and Serbia to Greece and Romania, will be cut off from their energy supply while their so-called allies in the US continue to profit.
Pro-establishment narrative
The only actions Western powers have taken against TurkStream have been sanctions, compared to Russia's continual military attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The TurkStream pipeline is Moscow's tool to illegally launder gas around the region, which is why continued sanctions are needed now more than ever.
