Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski reportedly discussed granting asylum to a suspect in the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage, according to reports. The incident involved two underwater gas pipelines damaged by an attack in September 2022, with German prosecutors alleging involvement from a small group of Ukrainian nationals.
Sikorski reportedly expressed willingness to provide Poland with asylum to Vladimir Z., a diving instructor linked to the case, and even proposed honoring him with a state decoration, as reported by Rzeczpospolita. The suspect had been residing near Warsaw but fled to Ukraine after German authorities issued an arrest warrant, sparking tensions between the two nations. Polish officials defended their inaction, stating no conclusive evidence existed against Z., while emphasizing his perceived status as a “hero” domestically.
Poland has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since 2022, supplying military aid and advocating for stricter sanctions against Russia. The country’s opposition to the Nord Stream project, which bypassed Poland’s transit routes and cut into its gas revenue, further complicates the situation.
German prosecutors have already detained another suspect, former military officer Sergey Kuznetsov, in Italy over his alleged role in coordinating the sabotage using commercial diving equipment. Russia has dismissed Germany’s claims as baseless, with President Vladimir Putin suggesting U.S. involvement and accusing Berlin of withholding information.
