Since the start of Russia's war against Ukraine, critical infrastructure has been attacked multiple times, such as cables and pipelines being ripped apart by ship anchors dragged across the seabed. NATO suspects these actions are commissioned by Moscow, among others using chartered oil tankers.
With its shadow fleet of ships under foreign flags, Russia bypasses the oil embargo imposed due to its aggressive war against Ukraine. A ship likely part of this fleet is suspected of having damaged multiple cables around Christmas. The Chinese ship has been detained by the Finnish navy.
Destroying the pipelines on the seabed threatens the supply of electricity and fuels that Europe needs for its economic development. Therefore, naval patrols in the Baltic Sea will be expanded, including with several Dutch vessels.
In addition, legal and judicial powers must be expanded, said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz prior to the NATO meeting in Helsinki.
The question must be answered whether marines from one country may board a foreign vessel if that ship is suspected or caught in hybrid threat activities. It is also still unclear whether NATO is permitted to carry out such boarding operations.
NATO head Mark Rutte also pointed out Monday in the European Parliament in Brussels that Russian terrorist activities against a single Baltic Sea country will nonetheless lead to a full NATO response. Putin must understand that if he takes any action in the Baltic Sea region, he not only targets those countries but all NATO members, and that he will also face Berlin, London, and The Hague, he warned Moscow.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said she had spoken with Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, and the Netherlands and they agree that there is an "urgent need" to revise international law so that action can be taken against forms of hybrid warfare. According to Chancellor Scholz, this could include specific sanctions against ships, shipping companies, and other businesses.