The EU has said leaks in two major gas pipelines from Russia to Europe were caused by sabotage - but stopped short of directly accusing Russia.
Deliberate disruption would result in the "strongest possible response", said the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Ukraine earlier went further, accusing Russia of a "terrorist attack".
The EU has previously accused Russia of using gas supplies, and the Nord Stream line, as a weapon against the West.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he thought the leaks would "not have a significant impact on Europe's energy resilience". Neither pipeline is transporting gas at the moment, although they both contain gas.
Mr Blinken did not directly accuse Russia - but said it would be in "no-one's interest" if they were caused deliberately.
The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, echoed Ms von der Leyen's message.
"Nord Stream sabotage acts appears to be an attempt to further destabilise energy supply to [the] EU," he said on Twitter.
The Danish energy minister, Dan Jorgensen, said the leaks were likely to last for at least a week, until the gas escaping from the pipes runs out. The investigation would begin after that.
Nord Stream leaks: Sabotage to blame, says EU
Seismologists said there were underwater blasts before the leaks emerged near a Danish island.
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