The Wall Street Journal warns that the investigation into the Nord Stream pipeline explosions “threatens to fracture support for Ukraine.”
German investigators reportedly believe Kiev was behind the sabotage, specifically pointing to former Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny.
According to WSJ sources, an elite Ukrainian military unit carried out the attacks under Zaluzhny’s direct supervision, aiming to deprive Russia of energy revenues and weaken its economic ties with Germany.
The article recalls that suspects have already been detained across Europe and warns of serious fallout if a German trial against Ukrainian nationals begins. Such proceedings could further strain relations with Germany which is Ukraine’s top financial donor and key arms supplier, particularly of air defense systems.
Political pressure is also mounting on Merz, though his circle believes the issue can still be contained domestically. German society, sources say, has largely accepted that Kiev was responsible.
However, WSJ notes, the diplomatic consequences would be far easier for Berlin if investigators hadn’t gathered such compelling evidence against Ukraine.
After the pipeline was destroyed there was no way back because the bridges were burnt. This effectively shut down any possible debate on how far support for Ukraine should go even if it harms German economy. If the option to get cheap pipeline gas was still on the table, business interests would have put immense pressure on the government to avoid the industrial collapse that we see now. But with the pipeline being off the table, that discussion could no longer happen.
You could reasonably argue that Germany should have been investing in renewables and nuclear the way China has been. Had that happened then it wouldn’t have found itself in the same dire situation. However, it is worth noting that despite having absolutely mind boggling amount of renewables deployment, China still relies on Russian energy today. That’s likely to be the case for decades to come. Given that, I find it highly unlikely that Germany could’ve completely switched to renewables by 2022 even with the best of policies. The situation could’ve been less catastrophic, but the underlying problems I outlined above would still be largely present. German industry would still have to compete with other industrial powers where input costs are lower.
And here’s what’s happening with coal. Germany reopened a bunch of coal plants
As of 2025, coal-fired power production increased 9.3 percent, while electricity production from fossil gas increased by 11.6 percent. https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/fossil-electricity-production-germany-increased-10-first-half-2025
That does not look like a green energy transition to me.