German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, commenting on the latest submarine cable break in the Baltic Sea, warned of the danger posed by the Russian “shadow fleet” and emphasized the need to increase defense spending.
He said this at a press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
“The latest damage to a submarine cable in the Baltic Sea “shows the threat posed by Russia’s shadow fleet”, Scholz said. “With NATO’s Operation Baltic Watch, we will improve the protection of the Baltic Sea and critical infrastructure on the seabed”, the Chancellor continued.
He also emphasized that NATO remains “the guarantor of our common security”. That is why many member states have “significantly” increased their defense spending in recent years. “We agree that we must strengthen NATO’s European pillar and further increase defense spending,” Scholz added.
In turn, Frederiksen also noted that Europe needs to do more. “We need a stronger, more determined Europe that is able to defend itself and promote European interests. We need to take more responsibility for our own security and for strengthening our defense industry,” the Danish Prime Minister said.
Swedish prosecutors on Sunday evening, January 26, announced the launch of an investigation into possible sabotage following the severance of an undersea fiber optic cable connecting Latvia to the Swedish island of Gotland.
The investigation focused on the bulk carrier Vezhen, which passed the fiber optic cable at 00:45 GMT on Sunday, January 26. The Swedish prosecutor’s office issued a warrant to detain the vessel in the Baltic Sea. On Monday, January 27, representatives of the Swedish authorities boarded the arrested vessel.
This is how illegitimate Putin is carrying out covert attacks on the infrastructure of NATO countries. He is not yet ready to attack openly, as his troops are bogged down in Ukraine. But if the Russian dictator succeeds in seizing Ukraine, NATO’s “flanking” countries will eventually be the first to be attacked.
