Opinion - A German court may have just exposed one of the Biden era’s biggest lies

It is often claimed that truth is the first casualty of war. A recent development in Germany underscores that this remains true. A new arrest warrant may implicate not only the Ukrainian government under Volodymyr Zelensky but also former U.S. President Joe Biden. This week, German authorities issued a warrant for Serhii Kuznietsov from Ukraine, potentially confirming long-standing suspicions that Ukraine orchestrated the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines near Denmark and Sweden.

Reports suggest that the Biden administration might have received prior intelligence. A Ukrainian whistleblower allegedly warned years ago that a six-member Ukrainian special forces team planned to rent a vessel, dive to the seabed, and destroy the Nord Stream pipelines. The operation was reportedly led by Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraines armed forces commander-in-chief. Despite this, U.S. officials and much of the media pointed fingers at Russia, suggesting it had destroyed its own pipeline, even when evidence indicated otherwise.

This claim of a Russian false-flag operation conveniently diverted attention from Ukraines potential environmental violations and intentional misinformation. For years, critics have questioned the official narrative from Washington regarding the evidence and responsible parties. Accusations that Russia sabotaged its own infrastructure appeared illogical, especially given the massive U.S. aid to Ukraine, now estimated to exceed $180 billion. If Ukraine had targeted pipelines supporting allies, the timing would have been particularly controversial amid domestic debates over war expenditures.

The Biden administration was not alone in shielding Ukraine; Zelensky denied responsibility despite mounting evidence. In a related case, a Polish court blocked the extradition of another alleged Ukrainian saboteur to Germany, citing that the act was committed under the notion of a just war, reflecting Polands frontline position against Russian aggression. In contrast, an Italian court approved Kuznietsovs extradition, identifying him as a central figure in the sabotage plot. The operation reportedly involved leasing a yacht in Rostock, Germany, using forged identification, and employing intermediaries as a cover. Kuznietsov maintains he was serving as a Ukrainian army captain at the time.

If investigators findings are accurate, both the Ukrainian government and the Biden administration were aware of the true events. Yet, Biden repeatedly suggested Russian disinformation was to blame, stating that Russian claims could not be trusted while promising to investigate with allies. Even with full disclosure, public support for aid to Ukraine might have remained, given the ongoing invasion and documented Russian war crimes. However, citizens reasonably expect that assistance is not used to attack allies infrastructure. The pipelines in question were located within the economic zones of two NATO nations.

As German authorities continue their investigation, the American public faces uncertainty about whether it will ever learn the full extent of its governments knowledge or involvement. Citizens were asked to finance a foreign conflict while potentially being misled about a Ukrainian attack on a Western pipeline. Questions remain about whether the CIA was informed beforehand and whether it approved or withheld information from allies.

Reflecting on Winston Churchills often-cited remark about truth in wartime, he also noted that propaganda can manipulate public sentiment, leading people to support conflict under false pretenses. In this case, the U.S. public may have been similarly misled, with truth and transparency becoming secondary concerns.

Jonathan Tur

Author: Sophia Brooks