The key facts
- Putin: Russia opposes rising tensions in the Baltic, but “will respond to any challenge”
- Telephone conversations with the President of Finland and the Prime Minister of Norway took place on October 27
- At the Foreign Ministry board meeting on October 27, Lavrov discussed threats to the Kaliningrad region and restrictions on shipping
Statement at the Russia–Africa Summit
Russia is not interested in an escalation of the situation in the Baltic Sea, but is ready to respond to any emerging threats. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this at a press conference following the third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow, reports Life.ru. According to him, Moscow would not like to see the situation that has developed in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf repeated in the Baltic region. “We do not want that. But we will respond to any challenge,” the outlet quotes the Russian leader as saying.
Context: talks with Finland and Norway and the Foreign Ministry board meeting
According to the publication, the topic of Baltic security was raised during Putin's telephone conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The call took place on October 27; according to the Kremlin press service, one of its topics was ensuring security in the Baltic Sea and northern Europe, while the Finnish president and Norwegian prime minister stressed the importance of compliance with international maritime law and freedom of navigation.
The Foreign Ministry's position
On the same day, October 27, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed security threats to the Kaliningrad region and restrictions on shipping in the Baltic Sea. At the meeting of the Foreign Ministry board, participants reviewed the military activity of Western states in the region, issues of protecting Russian interests, and possible response measures. Thus, Putin's statement came against the backdrop of two contacts held the day before — a diplomatic conversation with the northern neighbors and an internal discussion at the Foreign Ministry; however, the publication does not report any specific measures adopted: what is being discussed are the stated positions of the parties, not new decisions.
