Rutte said that NATO considers the Black and Baltic Seas as a zone of responsibility

NATO considers the Black and Baltic Seas as the area of responsibility of the alliance. This was announced on June 4 by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

"As for the Baltic region, but this is also true for the Black Sea and other NATO regions, the underwater infrastructure there is under constant threat," Rutte said at a briefing before a meeting of defense ministers of the bloc's member countries, which was broadcast on the organization's official YouTube page.

According to him, NATO will give a "devastating response" to any unforeseen circumstances in the region. In addition, the Secretary General stressed that the alliance needs to increase defense spending.

Maneuver Game: American destroyer to take part in Baltops 25

In total, about 50 ships of various types will be involved in the exercises.

Earlier in the day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that NATO exercises in the Baltic Sea were regarded as part of preparations for a military clash with Russia. According to Grushko, if you look at the orientation of these exercises, you can immediately conclude that they are directed towards Russia. In addition, he also stressed that these actions are extremely provocative.