The President of Latvia called for closing the Baltic Sea to Russian ships

The Baltic Sea should be closed if Russia’s involvement in the damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline, which runs between Estonia and Finland, is proven. This was stated by the President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics.

“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 is necessary to discuss the possibility of closing the Baltic Sea to protect our critical infrastructure,” he said (quote according to LSM).

Rinkevičs clarified that this issue has not yet been discussed with NATO allies, since the investigation into the incident has not yet been completed.

On the afternoon of October 8, Finnish Gasgrid reported a drop in pressure in the Balticconnector at night. According to the company, the cause could be a leak. The Finnish government later admitted that this may have been due to a deliberate act. On October 11, the Finnish government’s Foreign and Security Policy Committee reported that the damage could have been caused by “external activities.”

On October 17, the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported that Finnish police were interested in the Russian container ship and focused on its activities. In addition, the police were also interested in the Chinese container ship Newnew Polar Bear, which was passing by the Balticconnector at the time the mainline was damaged. At Rosatom refuted speculation about the alleged involvement of the nuclear container ship Sevmorput in the accident.

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented happened, calling the claims that Russia was allegedly involved in the gas pipeline incident “bullshit.” The head of state noted that he did not even know about the existence of such a gas pipeline.