Danish investigators have revealed that a "suspicious object" has been discovered underneath the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which leaked gas after a series of explosions last September. Danish investigators said the "device" that was found does not pose a current risk.
"The assessment from our authorities is that there is no immediate security risk and thus no danger to human life or shipping," Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said.
"Given the location of the object relevant authorities are currently assessing safety and environmental considerations," the Danish foreign ministry wrote in the letter to the Russian foreign ministry through its Copenhagen-based embassy.
The ministry said on Tuesday that the assessment of authorities concluded the object did not pose any immediate threat to security, maritime traffic, or people in the area.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a ship rented by Gazprom, a Russian energy company, found an antenna-like object located around 19 miles from the site of the pipeline explosions, and claimed that this object could be an explosive device, warning that a new explosion could occur, according to the Daily Mail.
"Experts believe that this could be an antenna to receive a signal to detonate an explosive device, which might be put under the pipeline system," Putin said.
Putin on Wednesday dismissed allegations that the Ukrainians could be behind the blasts, which European nations have said were likely the result of "sabotage," as "sheer nonsense," instead pointing to the US as the likely cause, according to the Daily Mail.
Reuters reports that on Tuesday, Putin said that the explosions of the Nord Steam were carried out on a "state level," later adding, "One should always look for those who are interested. And who is interested? Theoretically, of course, the United States is interested."
"An explosion of this kind, of this power, at this depth can only be carried out by specialists, and supported by the full power of the state, which has certain technologies," Putin said.
The White House has denied involvement in the September sabbotage of the Nord Stream pipelines.
"We asked the Danish authorities... about a request to work together or to form an international group of experts, specialists," Putin said in an interview with the state Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"The answer, as I said, was vague. Simply put, no answer. They said we had to wait," he said.
A TV reporter asked Putin whether this could be an element of a "terrorist attack" on Nord Stream.
"Yes, yes, yes, judging by everything. There were several explosive devices, something exploded, and something didn't. It is not clear for what reasons," Putin replied.
Rasmussen said that Gazprom has sent photos of the object they discovered to Danish authorities and held a meeting with the Danish embassy in Russia.
"It has also been followed up with a direct inquiry to our embassy in Russia. Of course, we take it very seriously, and it is being investigated," Rasmussen added.
The Biden administration has said that Russia was responsible for the sabotage, while a recent report from the New York Times blamed an anonymous pro-Ukrainian group.
