NATO to boost Baltic Sea presence after power link cut

NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Friday that the Western defence alliance would step up its military presence in the Baltic Sea after a suspected act of sabotage targeting an underwater power cable between Estonia and Finland.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Photo: EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET

Estonia announced on Friday that it had launched a naval operation to protect the Estlink 1 cable after the Estlink 2 cable was severed, with Russia suspected of being responsible.

Rutte said on the X social media platform that he spoke with Finland's President Alexander Stubb about an "ongoing Finnish-led investigation into possible sabotage of undersea cables," and expressed his "full solidarity and support."

Spoke w/ @alexstubb about the ongoing Finnish-led investigation into possible sabotage of undersea cables. I expressed my full solidarity and support. #NATO will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea.

— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) December 27, 2024

"NATO will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea," Rutte declared in his post.

In an earlier message, Rutte wrote that he spoke with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal about the incident, adding that NATO "stands in solidarity with Allies and condemns any attacks on critical infrastructure."

Spoke with @KristenMichalPM about reported possible sabotage of Baltic Sea cables. #NATO stands in solidarity with Allies and condemns any attacks on critical infrastructure. We are following investigations by #Estonia & #Finland, and we stand ready to provide further support.

— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) December 26, 2024

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Source: PAP