Kremlin says ‘threats’ to Russia unacceptable

ISTANBUL

Reacting to a statement by Latvia’s president on closing the Baltic Sea to Russia, the Kremlin said on Monday that “threats” to Moscow are unacceptable.

“Any threat must be taken seriously, no matter who they come from. Threats to the Russian Federation are unacceptable,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in a press briefing in Moscow.

Peskov denied Russia’s involvement in the situation surrounding the Balticconnector offshore gas pipeline.

"In response, I would like to ask Mr. President (Edgars Rinkevics) what needs to be done with the Baltic Sea (should be discussed) after the investigation is completed and after it becomes clear who carried out and who ordered the terrorist attack in the Baltic against Nord Stream?" he added.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics told state-owned Latvia Television last Thursday that there needs to be talks on closing the Baltic Sea if it is proved that Russia is involved in damaging the Balticconnector pipeline.

Balticconnector is the first gas pipeline between Estonia and Finland and has been operational since 2020. The bidirectional pipeline can transport around 7.2 million cubic meters of gas on a daily basis.

Earlier this month, the pipeline was shut down due to an unusual drop in pressure which resulted in a leak, after which an investigation has been launched.