Nato to boost protection of Baltic Sea infrastructure
The eight Nato states bordering the Baltic Sea have agreed on a joint strategy to counter acts of sabotage at a summit in Helsinki. As part of their Operation Baltic Sentry, warships and drones will be deployed to monitor shipping traffic. There have been several incidents of damage to Baltic pipelines and data and power cables in recent months. Ships belonging to Russia's shadow fleet are the prime suspects.
The alliance is flexing its muscles
Finland can be satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, writes Turun Sanomat:
“The message of the meeting was clear. Countries are taking the attacks on the underwater infrastructure very seriously and are strengthening their cooperation with Nato and the European Union. The goal is to prevent attacks by intensifying surveillance and intervening as quickly as possible. The Baltic Sea region is of primary importance for Nato. ... A strong message and closer cooperation between Nato countries in the Baltic Sea region is good news for Finland and the Baltic states. Nato's broad shoulders will also be available for hybrid operations in the event of a threat.”
A taste of things to come
Russia can pat itself on the back, writes the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung:
“Because the real impact is greater than the material damage. The attacks create insecurity (who knows what will happen next?), tie up the West's resources and undermine the international regulatory framework. The reactions of Nato members bear this out. ... This is a taste of what Europe can expect in the years to come. Because the Russian regime will continue to seek further weak points in the European infrastructure with its hybrid war – and not only at sea.”
Be prepared for dirty tricks
Russia will continue to look for new ways to weaken the West, Kaleva suspects:
“In a few months, it will become clear whether the measures adopted in Helsinki will have an initial impact on the activities of Russia and its supporters. At the end of last week the US imposed tough new sanctions on the vessels of the Russian shadow fleet which have reportedly already made the export of goods that is vital to the Russian economy to ports around the world more difficult. However, the fleet is large and consists of several hundred ships. What is needed is deterrence and effective preparations. Because Russia has a plethora of dirty tricks up its sleeve. If one channel is blocked, another will be sought to replace it.”
Carefully inspect shadow vessels
The ships belonging to Russia's shadow fleet must be thoroughly inspected at the entrance to the Baltic Sea, demands Jydske Vestkysten:
“We are obliged to inspect ships before they pass through the Kattegat. If their technical condition is not acceptable or their insurance cover is inadequate, the ships must be turned away – if necessary with the utmost rigour by the navy and with the help of our allies in countries like Germany and Poland. ... Russia will not accept a blockade without further ado, but it is unlikely that it will want to risk a military confrontation with Nato.”
Nuclear weapons on Greenland conceivable
Berlingske praises Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's assessments:
“At the press conference afterwards she echoed the opinion of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who said that Sweden was 'not at war, but nor was there peace'. 'We can no longer say this is peacetime,' said Mette Frederiksen. She is right, and that is why we should not prevent the Americans from providing the military protection they offer us. If there is the need for the Americans to deploy nuclear weapons in Greenland, they should be allowed to do so.”