Polish president says Nord Stream blasts beneficial for Europe

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BERLIN (AA) - Sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines was a positive development and thwarted Russia's dominance, the Polish president said on Wednesday.

"I don't know if it is possible to say that it was pro-Ukrainian sabotage," Andrzej Duda told the CNN in Abu Dhabi, commenting on a recent New York Times report, which suggested that a pro-Ukrainian group was involved in the September 2022 attack on the pipelines, which deliver Russian gas to Europe.

"But I will say ... if Nord Stream ceases to exist and it is not possible to transport gas from Russia this way, it will be profitable for Europe. I'm sure it will be useful for Western Europe," he said.

Duda justified his thesis by saying that Russia was using Nord Stream's operating company, Gazprom, as an "instrument" to dominate Europe and make it dependent.

He said he hoped it is found who is responsible for the attack on the pipelines.

Russia supplied about 40% of Europe's gas before its war on Ukraine that began in February last year, but has cut flows since then.

On military support to Kyiv, Duda said Poland is ready to supply MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. "Poland is ready to provide Ukraine with its MiG-29 fighter jets as part of an international coalition," he said.

The Polish leader said he expects Ukrainian forces to aim for NATO standards in the future and use F-16s. "So the training of Ukrainian pilots is important and urgent," he added.

However, he went on to say, Ukraine "at the moment needs rather long-range artillery to push back the enemy." He argued that Russia in Ukraine "must fail in order to maintain peace in the world."