The North Atlantic Alliance must stop the passage of ships in the Baltic Sea if Russia’s involvement in undermining the Balticconnector gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia is proven, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevich said.
At the same time, he emphasized that before such a step it is necessary to wait for the results of the investigation, TASS reports.
“Of course, this is an issue that affects a number of [международных] rules in the field of maritime law, but if Russia’s involvement is proven, then <…> it will be necessary to discuss the possibility of protecting our [НАТО] critical infrastructure, negotiations will need to be held on how we can close the Baltic Sea,” he told broadcaster LSM. However, before raising this issue to the NATO level, it is necessary to “have a number of accurate facts on the table,” Rinkevich said.
According to the Latvian leader, although the countries participating in the North Atlantic Alliance have not yet discussed such measures, NATO allies have agreed to conduct patrols in the Baltic Sea. “I have spoken with the Finnish and Estonian presidents, it is probably already clear in which direction the investigation is moving,” he added.
“Although Sweden has not yet joined NATO, which we expect in the near future, NATO will have to, if we witness such incidents, in my opinion, simply close the passage of ships in the Baltic Sea. It can be done. The passage can be closed,” Rinkevich said.
In turn, Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins said in an interview with a Latvian television channel that it is difficult to imagine how exactly the Baltic Sea can be closed.
Source: Rosbalt
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