NATO will strengthen its presence in the Baltic Sea following the disruption of the underwater power cable Estlink 2, Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Friday after speaking with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
“I expressed my full solidarity and support,” the head of the 32-nation military alliance wrote to X after their talks.
Earlier, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said his country would protect the Estlink 1 power line with patrol vessels following the disruption of the cables in the Baltic Sea in recent days.
The Swedish coast guard also issued a statement on Friday saying that they have increased their monitoring of shipping, using ships and aircraft, among other methods, to closely monitor activity in the region.
NATO is assisting Finland and Estonia in their investigation into possible sabotage, a spokesman for the alliance told dpa separately.
No other details were initially provided. Stubb said his country and Estonia have jointly asked NATO to increase its presence in response to the situation.
Electricity transmission on Estlink 2 between the two neighboring regions was disrupted on Wednesday.
Suspecting sabotage, Finnish authorities impounded the Cook Islands-flagged oil tanker Eagle S, which had not been used to cause damage to the cable.
According to the European Union, the ship is part of the so-called Russian shadow fleet: tankers and other cargo ships used by Russia to avoid sanctions on the transport of oil, for example.
Network workers initially estimated that the repair of the 170 km long cable could take several months. However, Estonian and Finnish authorities do not expect any major impact on consumers.
Another disruption of communication lines in the Baltic Sea was also recently reported. According to the Finnish broadcaster Yle, three of them run between Finland and Estonia and one is between Finland and Germany. The investigation into these incidents is ongoing.
Meanwhile, Finnish investigators plan to explore the undersea area. The crew of Khozi S are also being questioned and the cargo has been collected from the ship, said the police. Customs also seized the ship’s fuel supplies.
Stubb said they don’t want to jump to conclusions. But if clear evidence can be found that it was sabotage and that a state actor masterminded it, it will definitely be investigated, he added.
Estonia’s Pevkur also said the parties would wait for the outcome of the damage investigation.
“But our task is to send a clear message that we are willing to protect the connection between Estonia and Finland, even militarily if necessary,” Pevkur said in a ministry statement.
“We have decided to send our navy near Estlink 1 to protect and secure our energy connection with Finland,” he wrote separately on X on Friday.
The move was agreed with Estonian military chief Andrus Merilo and will ensure that the link will remain intact and operational, Pevkur said on Estonian radio.
There is a high level of caution against possible destruction in several countries of the Baltic Sea following the recent failure and disruption of power lines, gas pipelines and communication links.
Source link
