Putin Links Tusk's Nord Stream Stance to Poland's Lost Revenue, Defending Sabotage Suspects

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sharply criticized Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recent defense of Nord Stream pipeline saboteurs, claiming Tusk's stance is purely driven by Poland economic losses from the project. Putin stated that an initial plan for Nord Stream 2 involved a route through Polish territory, with infrastructure even prepared, before being shifted to the Baltic Sea to 'minimize risks'. This direct accusation comes days after Tusk controversially remarked that 'those who built this pipeline should be ashamed, not those who shut it down,' referring to the 2022 explosions that crippled the pipelines. This latest verbal volley escalates an already tense European energy and security debate. Poland has long opposed the Nord Stream projects, viewing them as a geopolitical tool that increased Europe's energy dependence on Russia and bypassed its own lucrative role as a gas transit country. Tusk's comments also coincided with the recent arrest in Croatia of Volodymyr Zhuravlev, a Ukrainian national and a key suspect in the Nord Stream sabotage, under a German European Arrest Warrant. Notably, Poland had previously refused to extradite Zhuravlev in October 2025, with Tusk stating the court acted 'correctly'. The unfolding drama highlights the deep rifts within Europe on energy policy and security, especially concerning Russia. As Germany continues its investigation into the sabotage, Tusk's open support for the alleged saboteurs complicates inter-European relations. Meanwhile, Poland has been aggressively pursuing energy independence from Russia, aiming to completely phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by the end of 2026, urging other EU nations to follow suit. The outcome of the sabotage investigation and the continued friction between Russia and its European neighbors over energy infrastructure will undoubtedly shape the continent's geopolitical landscape for years to come.