Ukraine bar. Russia still wants to bypass the entire Donetsk passport moratorium for Russians undergoing compulsory military service.

The Kremlin has denied allegations that Russia is responsible for the leaks in Nord Stream 1 and 2, describing them as “stupid and absurd.” “It is stupid and absurd to make such assumptions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Interfax as saying on Wednesday. In Ukraine, there have been allegations that Russia deliberately sabotaged pipelines to exacerbate the energy crisis in Europe and spark pre-winter panic.

The European Union considers sabotage to be the likely cause and has threatened to take countermeasures. However, the responsibility was left open. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also spoke of sabotage.

A total of three leaks were detected in one of the Nord Stream 2 pipelines and in each of the Nord Stream 1 pipelines after an initial drop in pressure Monday night. Pesco said that before making any statements, investigations into the leaks should be awaited to determine whether there was an explosion. He was already upset on Tuesday – and he also didn’t rule out sabotage.

Peskov called on Russia to participate in clarifying the incidents. The situation requires “dialogue and practical cooperation from all parties” in order to clarify the cause of the leaks as soon as possible and assess the damage caused. “At the moment, we see the absolute absence of such a dialogue.”

Peskov made it clear that Russia is not interested in stopping the flow of gas through Nord Stream pipelines. Damage is also a big problem for Russia. Both Nord Stream 2 threads are gas-filled. “This gas costs a lot of money and now it’s leaking into the air.”