Baltic nations' growing independence raises concerns for Washington: FT

According to Financial Times, Baltic Sea countries have become so self-sufficient in security that U.S. military presence there is almost irrelevant.

On February 4, 2025, the HMS Carlskrona departed Karlskrona, Sweden, to join NATO's Operation Baltic Sentry as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1). The operation focuses on enhancing military presence in the Baltic Sea, particularly monitoring critical undersea infrastructure.

Photo: JOHAN NILSSON SWEDEN OUT/PAP/EPA

In response to recent undersea sabotage incidents, regional initiatives like Nordic Warden and NATO's Baltic Sentry have been launched - both led by European nations.

The shift reflects a broader trend of European allies taking greater responsibility for their own defense, reducing reliance on U.S. military support.

Financial Times warns that while Washington has long urged Europe to step up, this growing independence could weaken U.S. global influence by making its military presence "good-to-have rather than need-to-have."

Baltic self-sufficiency is a warning for Washington https://t.co/dPdDtXBy9A | opinion

— Financial Times (@FT) February 20, 2025

Read more about this subject:

• Sweden confirms another subsea cable disruption in the Baltic Sea
• International scandal over damaged cables in the Baltic Sea: what’s next?
• Two underwater cables in the Baltic Sea damaged, authorities suspect sabotage
  
  

Source: IAR/Financial Times

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