Russian Foreign Ministry names the reason why NATO has created artificial barriers for ships in the Baltic Sea

NATO's attempts to create artificial barriers to navigation in the Baltic Sea are aimed not at improving security but at deterring Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on January 23. This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova at a briefing on January 23.

She noted that, according to international norms, the principle of freedom of navigation, which implies the presence of ships under any flag, operates in the waters of the Baltic Sea. Termination of foreign ships, their inspection or detention can be carried out only on a limited list of grounds, such as piracy or illegal fishing.

Zakharova clarified that the protection of underwater infrastructure is not included in this list.

In addition, the diplomat reminded NATO representatives that in accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the consent of the state whose flag they fly is required for the application of coercive measures to foreign ships in the economic zone. Interference with ships cannot be based on discriminatory unilateral measures or unfounded suspicions, she said.

"Of course, we will closely monitor the situation in the Baltic Sea and respond appropriately to abuses by ships of alliance member states," Zakharova emphasized.

The Baltic Nine: How NATO is making the region the next "flashpoint" for Russia

Europe prepares to independently contain Russia on the eastern flank of the alliance

Earlier, on January 20, military expert Alexei Leonkov told Izvestia that NATO countries' attempts to block the Russian Navy in the Baltic Sea would be a pretext for war, for which the North Atlantic Alliance, unlike Russia, is not ready. According to him, the acquisition of weapons, sending ships to the water area for patrolling in a different environment could sound like a regular use of the bloc's fleet. However, now, he noted, the situation there is different.

Before that, on January 18, the media reported that NATO warships began patrolling the Baltic Sea as part of the Baltic Sentry operation. According to journalists, a sonar vessel is involved, which is able to study the structure of the bottom.

On January 7, it became known that NATO is going to send a fleet to the Baltic Sea to protect important underwater structures. According to its data, it will consist of about 10 ships, and the operation itself will last until April. At the same time, it was specified that the forces of the Finnish and Estonian fleets would still be involved in the protection of the Gulf of Finland.