In a recent development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov bluntly stated that it is "clear" that the United States orchestrated the 2022 attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Lavrov's statement came on the heels of reports that Germany issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian suspect involved in the pipeline explosions, which transported Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.

During a visit to Azerbaijan on Monday, Lavrov emphasized Moscow's longstanding claims of Western involvement in the attacks. In an interview with Izvestia newspaper, Lavrov alleged that a "command from the very top" was responsible for such a terrorist act, suggesting that Washington played a role. However, no concrete evidence was presented to support his claim.

The United States, which has previously dismissed similar accusations from Russia, did not provide an immediate response to Lavrov's latest assertion. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has also insinuated American responsibility for the attack, which Russia has repeatedly labeled as "sabotage."

According to The Wall Street Journal, a Ukrainian crew carried out the explosions and received approval from Ukraine's then military commander-in-chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The paper further claimed that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was made aware of the plan by the CIA, which warned against its execution.

Recent developments shed light on the ongoing investigation, as Poland confirmed receiving a German arrest warrant for a Ukrainian suspect linked to the attack. The severe pressure drop detected on September 26, 2022, along with seismological evidence of explosions, sparked speculation about the culprits behind the sabotage of the multibillion-dollar project.

This latest exchange of accusations between Russia and the United States only deepens the diplomatic tensions. As more details emerge from the investigations into the Nord Stream gas pipeline attacks, it remains essential to establish clear evidence to support any claims made by either side.