Recently, a Wall Street Journal report has marked a significant shift in the narrative surrounding the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage, with mainstream media now acknowledging that Ukraine was responsible for the attack, not Russia. This report distances President Zelensky from the operation, suggesting it was carried out by a ‘rogue’ Ukrainian general with at least some foreknowledge by the CIA.
This change in narrative appears to coincide with Germany’s decision to reduce its support for Ukraine, signaling a growing frustration within Berlin over being misled. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a crucial $11 billion infrastructure project connecting Russia and Germany, was destroyed in the September 26, 2022, underwater bombings. The revelations have sparked outrage among some German lawmakers, who feel their country has been exploited by Kyiv.
Alice Weidel, co-chair of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and a prominent figure in the Bundestag, has been vocal in condemning Ukraine. She has called for Ukraine to compensate Germany for the economic damage caused by the sabotage. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), she argued that the economic impact on Germany should be “billed” to Ukraine and that any financial aid to Kyiv should be halted.
Weidel’s stance reflects a growing sentiment in Germany that Ukraine should be held accountable for the destruction of the Nord Stream pipeline. This sentiment is further exacerbated by the German Prosecutor General’s Office issuing an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian citizen suspected of involvement in the sabotage, along with at least two accomplices who allegedly assisted in placing the explosives.
The fallout from these revelations is already affecting German-Ukrainian relations. According to a report from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), the German government plans to halt new military aid to Ukraine as part of broader efforts to reduce spending. This move follows a preliminary budget agreement for 2025, which had already proposed cutting future aid to Ukraine by half, to €4 billion, in favor of other priorities. Now, even that reduced amount may be in jeopardy.
The shift in Berlin’s stance comes as public fatigue with the war grows, and concerns escalate over a potential nuclear confrontation between Russia and NATO. Alice Weidel’s message, advocating for an end to financial support for Ukraine and for the country to reimburse Germany, is likely to resonate with a German public weary of the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, who has long been skeptical of official narratives surrounding the Nord Stream sabotage, predicted these recent developments months ago. He suggested that alternative theories presented by outlets like the New York Times and certain German media were “concocted” by the CIA, indicating that the full story behind the Nord Stream attack may still be unfolding.
