Kathmandu— The Kremlin condemned Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s comments regarding the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, criticizing his assertion that those responsible should not be ashamed and instead blaming the pipeline’s builders. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov described Tusk's position as “astonishing” and characterized the blasts as an act of terrorism against critical European energy infrastructure on Friday. The remarks follow recent arrests related to the investigation, including a Ukrainian national detained in Croatia while reportedly working on a Hollywood film about the incident.

Tusk’s Controversial Statements

Donald Tusk defended his position on Thursday, reiterating that Poland had consistently opposed the Nord Stream project due to concerns over European dependence on Russian energy. He stated he would not change his mind and believes those who constructed the pipeline should be ashamed rather than those who disabled it. These comments prompted a strong reaction from Moscow, which views the sabotage as a deliberate attack on Europe’s energy security.

Recent Arrests and Investigation

Ukrainian national Vladimir Zhuravlyov was recently arrested in Croatia under a European arrest warrant after previously being detained in Poland in September 2025. A Warsaw court had refused to extradite him to Germany, ordering his release the following month. German investigators allege that a small Ukrainian team used forged documents to rent a yacht and transport explosives into the Baltic Sea, planting them near Bornholm.

Hollywood Film Draws Scrutiny

Zhuravlyov’s arrest in Croatia occurred while he was on the set of ‘Snake Island,’ a Hollywood thriller starring Sean Penn and Adrien Brody. The film reportedly details an alleged Ukrainian plot to destroy Nord Stream, with filming beginning earlier this month in Croatia. It remains unclear why Zhuravlyov was present at the production. Another suspect, Sergey Kuznetsov, was arrested in Italy in August 2025 and subsequently extradited to Germany.

Moscow Disputes Investigation Findings

Russia has dismissed the notion that a small group of Ukrainian divers could have independently executed the complex operation. Moscow argues that an attack within NATO-controlled waters would necessitate state support and involvement from Western intelligence agencies, suggesting a broader conspiracy beyond a simple act of sabotage.

The investigation into the Nord Stream pipeline blasts remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather evidence and pursue potential suspects. The Kremlin has consistently called for a thorough and transparent inquiry into the incident.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.