- Any attack on our infrastructure will be met with a robust and targeted response.
This is stated in a joint statement from the NATO countries around the Baltic Sea. That is, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and Germany.
The eight countries met on Tuesday in Helsinki to "address the recent increase in the number of serious incidents damaging critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea", as stated in the statement from the meeting.
According to NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, a campaign is underway against NATO countries with cyber attacks, assassination attempts and sabotage including attempts to sabotage undersea cables.
- Allies and NATO have responded again against military patrols and a new maritime center for critical infrastructure. But we must do more. Today I can announce that NATO is launching Operation "Baltic Sentry" to strengthen surveillance of the Baltic Sea, says Mark Rutte.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal openly says at the press conference that the majority of attacks come from Russia. But Chinese ships have also been suspected of being involved in sabotage of, for example, undersea data cables.
- NATO will not accept that. Possible attacks on our infrastructure will have consequences, says Mark Rutte.
Promises to name the guilty
The eight NATO countries will strengthen cooperation to stop the incidents in the Baltic Sea. This will be done, among other things, by creating a regional picture of the critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. This can help NATO to better protect, for example, data cables. In addition, the eight countries will strengthen the monitoring of "suspicious vessels" and underwater surveillance.
The NATO countries promise to name the culprits if it is proven that, for example, a Russian ship is behind an act of sabotage.
At the same time, the declaration warns of "stronger enforcement against those responsible for damaging underwater infrastructure, including compensation for damage".
The NATO countries will also take action against Russia's shadow fleet of old tankers. Here, sanctions will be expanded and monitoring of the ships will be strengthened, the declaration states.
Finland's President, Alexander Stubb, acknowledges that in addition, critical infrastructure must also be expanded and the ability to carry out rapid repairs after an attack must be strengthened.
- We cannot prevent all acts of sabotage. Therefore, it is very important to have different energy sources and data cables that can be used in the event of an attack. The three most recent attacks have not led to any consequences for the public. This is because we have alternatives, says Alexander Stubb.
/ritzau/
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