Putin Denies Ukrainian Involvement in Nord Stream Pipeline Blasts

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed allegations that Ukrainians could be behind the explosions that crippled the Nord Stream gas pipelines, suggesting the United States may have been responsible. Putin insisted the US had a motive to carry out the attack in the Baltic Sea last year, saying it wanted to halt supplies of cheap Russian natural gas to Europe and provide the continent with more expensive liquefied natural gas. Putin also poured scorn on European leaders for keeping quiet about the incident, saying their attitude reflected what he described as Europe’s subservient position in relations with the US.