Closing the Baltic Sea for Russian ships. Pieskow responds
3:11 AM EDT, October 21, 2023
Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin's spokesperson, firmly responded to the Latvian president's suggestion of a possibility of closing down the Baltic Sea for Russian ships, if Moscow's involvement in damaging the Balticconnector gas pipeline is proven.
- I would like to ask the President of Latvia, what are we going to do with the Baltic Sea, when the truth about those who were and are behind the terrorist attack on Nord Stream will soon come to light. What will he then propose to do with the Baltic Sea? - asked Peskov in an interview with TASS agency.
As he argued, Russia "never had and will never have anything to do with" incidents such as the damage to the Balticconnector pipeline. He emphasized that there is no objective evidence of the Russian Federation's involvement in causing a leak from the pipeline and stopping its operation - reports "Kommiersant".
Pieskow responded to the suggestion of the Latvian president that NATO should consider closing navigation on the Baltic Sea to protect critical infrastructure.
"You can stop the ships"
Edgars Rinkeviczs was asked on television about what NATO's response should be to damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline and two cables. He emphasized that first and foremost, we need to wait for the results of the investigation into this matter - reports LSM portal.
- I spoke with the presidents of Finland and Estonia and it's roughly clear where this is heading - he added.
If we see such incidents, then in my opinion NATO should really just shut down navigation on the Baltic Sea. This can be done. Ships can be stopped - said Rinkeviczs.
The issue of maritime rights
- Of course, this is a matter of many maritime laws, but if it is clearly proven that it is Russia, then (...) in order to protect our critical infrastructure, we need to talk about that we may close the Baltic Sea - continued the president.
However - as he indicated - for such discussions to begin, specific facts must be known.
Previously, in response to damage to the gas pipeline, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina ordered a review of Latvian critical infrastructure in terms of its preparedness for possible threats.
On October 8, there was a drop in pressure in the Balticconnector undersea gas pipeline and a failure of the telecommunications cable connecting Finland with Estonia. Media on both sides of the Gulf of Finland reported that considering the extent of the damage, it could take several months to restore gas transmission. The Balticconnector also supplied gas to Latvia.
Swedish Minister of Civil Defense Carl-Oscar Bohlin announced on Tuesday that the underwater telecommunications cable between Sweden and Estonia has also been damaged.
On Thursday, NATO reported an intensification of patrols in the Baltic Sea, related to the recent destruction of underwater infrastructure in the region.
