Speaking at a Summit of Baltic Sea Allies in Helsinki, Rutte said that the "Baltic Sentry" effort would enhance NATO’s military presence in the Baltic Sea and improve allies’ ability to respond to destabilizing acts.
At the summit, leaders from across the region addressed the growing threat to critical undersea infrastructure, according to reports.
"By working together with all allies, we will do what it takes to ensure the safety and security not only of our critical infrastructure but of all that we hold dear," Rutte told the gathering.
His remarks followed a series of acts of sabotage that damaged energy and communication cables linking NATO members in the Baltic Sea region, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
"Baltic Sentry" will involve a range of assets, including frigates and maritime patrol aircraft, according to NATO.
Rutte also announced the deployment of new technology, including a small fleet of naval drones, and outlined a plan to work with allies to integrate national surveillance assets in a bid to improve the protection of critical undersea infrastructure, the alliance said on its website.
Rutte said in late December that NATO would step up its military presence in the Baltic Sea after a suspected act of sabotage by Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of fuel tankers damaged an underwater power cable between Estonia and Finland.
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Source: IAR, PAP, nato.int