156 - Nordstream affair - Does this mean the red phone is working again?

 25 Sept 2022 - Meet the Press - National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Sara Fagen, Mike Memoli, Amna Nawaz and Jen Psaki

...Globally, the existential threat to democracy is Vladimir Putin, whose decision to invade Ukraine has produced the biggest conflict in Europe since the Second World War. Putin is now threatening to use Russia's nuclear weapons, saying in a televised address, "This is not a bluff." President Biden responded at the United Nations. 

CHUCK TODD:

While you were talking, we were able to show some footage of people voting with – under the supervision of armed Russian guards, so just to give folks a taste of what kind of referendum this is. I want to talk about the nuclear threats from Vladimir Putin.There was a report this week that folks in the Biden administration have made it clear, privately, of the severe consequences. Does this mean the red phone is working again? Because at the beginning of this conflict there was a lot of concern that some of the basic communications that we had from military to military, intel to intel, you had a hard time getting your counterparts to return calls. Does this mean the red phone is working again?

JAKE SULLIVAN:

Well, Chuck, we've been careful to protect the timing and the content of the conversations we have with the Russian government, with the Kremlin.

But the answer to your question is yes.

We do have the capacity to speak directly at senior levels and to be clear about our messages to them and to receive their messages.

That has happened frequently over the course of the past few months.

It has happened even in just the last few days.

Summary (see also other posts):

The USA started to de-escalate before the Nordstream affair happened.

The USA had a knowledge about the UK´s plan to blow up Nordstream pipelines

The USA did not stop the mission

The USA decided to step aside and protect NATO cohesion

This is why Russia later blamed Anglo-Saxons as guilty and not a single state. 

Legally:

The UK could be charged under Violation of sovereignty (Act of Aggression, Violation of the United Nations Charter), Sabotage or International Terrorism and/or Environmental damage.    

The USA and Norway could be charged under Complicity in Aggression, Failure to prevent, Neglecting duty to act.  

Legal Accountability and Consequences

1. International Court of Justice (ICJ):

• State Responsibility: Russia and Nordstream AG hareholders (the victim) could bring a case against States USA, Norway, and the main perpetrator the UK in the ICJ for violations of international law, including aggression and failure to prevent an unlawful act.

• United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

  • Security Council Action: The UNSC could be called upon to address the situation, potentially leading to sanctions or other measures against the UK, and possibly against other States for their roles.

• International Criminal Court (ICC):

• Individual Accountability: Leaders or individuals in the UK who planned and executed the "sabotage" (or the unlawful act) could potentially be prosecuted by the ICC for crimes of aggression or terrorism, depending on the circumstances and evidence.

Other posts:

The USA de-escalates possible Russian nuclear response even before Nordstream is hit, NATO protect Trans-Atlantic alliance afterwards

Extra: Small history lesson about the RED PHONE is here: