The European Union considers sabotage to be the likely cause of the leaks in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines and has threatened to take countermeasures. "All available information indicates that these leaks are the result of a deliberate act," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Wednesday on behalf of the 27 member states. Any intentional disruption to Europe's energy infrastructure is totally unacceptable and will "be met with a robust and common response."

A total of three leaks were discovered in one of the tubes of Nord Stream 2 and in both tubes of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline after an initial pressure drop on Monday night. As early as Tuesday, Poland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia considered an attack on the European gas infrastructure to be the cause of the unprecedented damage to both pipelines. From the point of view of German security circles, there was much to be said for sabotage. If it was an attack, only a state actor would come into question given the effort, it said.

In the statement, Borrell gave no suspicion as to who could be behind a possible act of sabotage. However, the Spaniard said they were very concerned about the damage to the pipelines. "These incidents are no coincidence and concern us all." Any investigation aimed at gaining clarity about what is happening will be supported. Steps will also be taken to make energy security more robust.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously written on Twitter that she thought sabotage was possible. EU Council President Charles Michel also spoke of an act of sabotage.