Burc Eruygur
22 May 2024•Update: 22 May 2024
ISTANBUL
The Russian Defense Ministry proposed a revision of the country’s territorial waters in the Baltic Sea.
The draft decree, which was published on the government‘s portal for draft regulations on Tuesday, proposes the adjustment of Russia’s sea border on the southern part of the country’s islands in the eastern parts of the Gulf of Finland.
It further proposes adjustments in the area near the towns of Baltiysk and Zelenogradsk, which it said would allow the “use of the corresponding water area as internal sea waters of the Russian Federation.”
An explanatory note for the document said the current geographic coordinates for the points defining Russia’s territorial waters are based on a resolution adopted by the Soviet Union’s Council of Ministers in 1985.
“The geographic coordinates of the points were once determined from small-scale nautical charts compiled based on materials from works of the mid-20th century, and do not fully correspond to the modern geographical situation,” it added.
Commenting on the document, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on X: “Another Russian hybrid operation is underway, this time attempting to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt about their intentions in the Baltic Sea. This is an obvious escalation against NATO and the EU, and must be met with an appropriately firm response.”
Meanwhile, Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb said on X that the country's authorities are analyzing the reports concerning maritime zones in the Gulf of Finland.
"The political leadership is monitoring the situation closely. Russia has not been in contact with Finland on the matter. Finland acts as always: calmly and based on facts," he went on to say.
Elsewhere, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Tallinn is in close contact with Finland and Lithuania on the matter, indicating that they expect their steps to be "in line with international law."
"I can’t rule out that the report is an attempt to sow confusion but we are keeping a cool head," he added.
On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing that “appropriate steps” are needed from relevant departments to ensure Russia’s security amid escalating tensions, especially in the Baltic region.
