Ric Grenell to Newsmax: Russia Had No Reason to Sabotage Natural Gas Pipeline

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Ric Grenell to Newsmax: Russia Had No Reason to Sabotage Natural Gas Pipeline Ric Grenell to Newsmax: Russia Had No Reason to Sabotage Natural Gas Pipeline

Ric Grenell (AFP via Getty)

By Jay Clemons | Wednesday, 28 September 2022 10:06 PM EDT

Ric Grenell, formerly the acting director of National Intelligence during the Trump administration, believes the consequences of the supposed attack on two natural gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea — running from Russia to Germany — will be "enormous," given how much of Europe is already dealing with an energy crisis.

"So many people trying to figure out who did it," Grenell told Newsmax Wednesday evening, while appearing on "Rob Schmitt Tonight."

From Grenell's perspective, Germany's manufacturing-based economy cannot handle additional crises involving energy shortages.

"They just don't have the [energy] supply, and they're already scrambling right now," said Grenell.

Under the leadership of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany committed to phasing out nuclear energy and coal-related power, explained Grenell.

But now, with Merkel retired and Germany dealing with its own energy problems before the harsh winter months, Grenell said the Germans, under new Chancellor Olaf Scholz, are trying everything to replenish their nuclear power sources.

"That's historic. … They weren't prepared for this situation," Grenell said.

Regarding the recent pipeline attack, Grenell said pinpointing a potential saboteur could be difficult.

"We certainly know the Russians [occasionally] lie. … That's something they've been doing since the beginning of time," said Grenell.

However, in this case, Grenell said the Russians have no true incentive to sabotage their own pipeline.

"[The Russians are] desperate for money, and this was their pipeline to get more money," said Grenell.

Russian pipelines have been a popular discussion topic, acknowledged Grenell, in terms of shaping world events.

When the Biden administration and Senate Democrats dropped the Trump-era sanctions against Russia in relation to pipeline distribution last year, Grenell said it "signaled to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin a white flag of surrender" on America's part.

And that move, from Grenell's standpoint, subsequently "encouraged" Putin to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February — a war that's still bringing devastation to both countries seven months later.

"This is all chaos that should have not happened, and it wouldn't have happened under Donald Trump," said Grenell.

Trump "does not like war. He wants tough diplomacy," added Grenell.

As for the current administration potentially brokering peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Grenell said that "there is no diplomacy" in the Biden White House.

"[Secretary of State] Antony Blinken didn't even try to stop this war [before it started]," Grenell said.

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