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The President of the European Council, António Costa, today condemned the “deliberate destruction” in the Baltic Sea following the cutting of an underwater electric cable between Finland and Estonia, promising action in the European Union (EU) against the Russian ghost fleet.
“I strongly condemn any deliberate destruction of Europe’s critical infrastructure. I intend to work towards strengthening the EU’s common response and preparedness, including combating Russia’s ghost fleet,” the official wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).c
António Costa said he is already in contact with the Prime Ministers of Estonia, Kristen Michal, and Finland, Petteri Orpo, “to monitor developments related to the incident with the [submarine] cable in the Baltic Sea”.
“I commend the swift and determined action of the Finnish and Estonian authorities,” added the former Portuguese Prime Minister, who has been leading since the beginning of this month the EU institution that brings together European Heads of Government and State.
Today, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) said it would reinforce its military presence in the Baltic Sea following the cutting of an underwater electric cable amid suspicions of sabotage by Russia.
The Secretary-General of the Atlantic Alliance, Mark Rutte, further stated that an investigation “led by Finland into the possible sabotage of submarine cables” is underway, expressing “full solidarity and support” to Helsinki and Tallinn.
The NATO leader had already said he was ready to support Estonia and Finland, member countries of the organization, in determining responsibilities.
Finnish police declared suspect that the oil tanker “Eagle S”, coming from Russia and suspected of being part of the so-called Russian “ghost fleet” (used by Moscow to transport oil despite European sanctions), is involved in the failure of the submarine electric cable between Finland and Estonia that occurred on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the European Union condemned “the deliberate destruction of infrastructure” of the countries of the community bloc, following this new cut of a submarine cable.
The oil tanker “Eagle S” has already been intercepted and is currently off the coast of Porkkala, about 30 kilometers from Helsinki, after the intervention of a Finnish patrol boat.
According to the West, the so-called Russian ghost fleet consists of ships transporting Russian oil and circumventing sanctions imposed on Moscow following the war against Ukraine.
These tankers that transport Russian oil are an important source of financing for Russia to continue its war in Ukraine, which began with the invasion of the country in February 2022.
Since then, several incidents have already occurred in the Baltic Sea.
The Nord Stream pipelines, which once transported natural gas from Russia to Germany, were damaged by underwater explosions in September 2022.
Authorities considered it sabotage and launched a criminal investigation.
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