Nord Stream explosions benefit Gazprom – Lithuanian defmin

VILNIUS - Explosions at the Nord Stream gas pipelines benefit the Kremlin-controlled gas giant Gazprom, Lithuanian National Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas says.

"I think an investigation will show what the Swedes, for example, recorded, be they explosions or other phenomena, and it will become clear what happened. But it's clear who is benefiting from this, first of all, Gazprom itself," the minister told reporters in Vilnius on Wednesday.

Asked whether the incidents would lead to any decision to bolster the protection of the LNG terminal in Lithuania, the minister stressed that such facilities are "always protected".

Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite also assured that all security measures are being taken for the protection of the LNG terminal, including under water.

Also commenting on the incident, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said it's "probably one of the most serious incidents in the Baltic Sea", adding that Lithuania will join the investigation. 

"Lithuania has to do everything it can to contribute to the investigation in Denmark, Sweden or elsewhere, so that the causes can be established as soon as possible and those responsible, if any, identified. Of course, it's probably no big secret that the eyes of many countries, many analysts, are on the Kremlin," he said.

After seismologists reported explosions near the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, European leaders said on Tuesday that sabotage was the most likely cause of the leaks in the Baltic Sea pipelines connecting Russia to Europe.