<span style="color: #222222;">NATO on Thursday said leaks from the Nord Stream gas pipelines appeared to be sabotaged and vowed a determined response to any attacks on their critical infrastructure.<br />''<br />''All currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless and irresponsible acts of sabotage, the Western military alliance said in a statement. These leaks are causing risks to shipping and substantial environmental damage. We support the investigations underway to determine the origin of the damage, it said.</span><br />''The statement said that the alliance was committed to prepare for, deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics.<br />''Sweden's coastguard on Thursday said a fourth leak had been detected in the pipelines running from Russia to Europe after explosions were reported earlier this week.<br />''<br />''The vast leaks come as the West and Moscow square off over the conflict in Ukraine and the Kremlin is accused of using its mammoth energy stocks as a weapon to pressure Europe.<br />''<br />''The leaks have caused underwater gas plumes, with significant bubbling at the surface of the sea several hundred metres wide, making it impossible to immediately inspect the structures.<br />''<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The UN Security Council will meet Friday to discuss the matter.</span><br />