MOSCOW. March 24 (Interfax) - The Kremlin welcomes Denmark's intention to invite the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline operator to join an operation to recover an object discovered near the pipeline on the Baltic seafloor.
"Let's see what's going to be behind this. But for now, it's certainly good news. It's good news when the pipeline's owner is invited to join very important investigative activities," Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Friday.
"The object was found near a pipe weld, and it's well-known that a weld is the most vulnerable section of a pipeline," Peskov said. "The blast also happened near a joint, a weld. Therefore, it's very important, critically important, to investigate what kind of object it is and whether it's related to the terrorist attack. And everything looks like it is," Peskov said.
Peskov spoke for continuing the investigation. "This investigation should be transparent and inclusive from the standpoint of involvement of all parties concerned," he said.
It was reported earlier that the Danish Energy Agency invited the operator of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Nord Stream 2 AG, to join an operation to raise an object discovered near the pipeline on the Baltic seafloor.
"With a view to further clarifying the nature of the object, Danish authorities have decided to salvage the object [...]. The Danish Energy Agency has in that context invited the owner of the pipeline, Nord Stream 2 AG, to participate in the operation," the agency said in a statement.
The object is cylindrical, is about 40 centimeters tall and 10 centimeters in diameter, and could be a maritime smoke buoy, the agency said. Danish experts believe the object does not pose an immediate safety risk, it said.