Baltic Sentry – A Joint Control Project

The Prime Minister recalled that on November 27, 2024, Poland proposed strengthening Baltic Sea control, modeled after the "Air Policing" system that protects NATO airspace. Incidents involving Russian and Chinese vessels, as well as sabotage of underwater energy installations, necessitate that the Baltic becomes an area of enhanced military control under "Navy Policing." The NATO mission “Baltic Sentry” has been launched in response to this call.

"The first crucial step I advocated for has been realized. NATO will intensify its presence in the Baltic Sea, which will become increasingly noticeable. Legal and military actions aimed at countering acts of sabotage have been recognized as a joint task for all allies," stated Donald Tusk after the summit in Helsinki.

The program provides for additional NATO protection of the Baltic Sea for 90 days. At the same time, the countries of the region unanimously expressed the need for extended, permanent, and effective security control of this area.

The So-called "Shadow Fleet"

Russia bypasses sanctions imposed in connection with its aggression against Ukraine by using dubiously registered vessels that often fail to meet ecological standards.

"For me, the key point is that all summit participants, including the NATO Secretary General, recognized the necessity of protecting not only territorial waters but also undertaking effective actions on the open sea. If necessary, ship inspections in the middle of the Baltic are also anticipated, underscoring the importance of joint efforts for regional security," stressed the Prime Minister.

Following aggressive actions aimed at provoking intervention, the fiber optic cable connecting Finland and Sweden was damaged. Recently, Estonia has also been a target of Russian destabilization attempts.

"The methods used in these actions — such as dragging anchors, destroying fiber optic cables, or other lines — are primitive but effective," noted Donald Tusk.

In response to damage to underwater infrastructure, Finland took decisive action — detaining a ship, arresting its crew, and clarifying responsibility for the acts of sabotage. As the Polish Prime Minister emphasized, Poland would respond just as decisively if a similar situation occurred in its territorial waters.

Security – Both Local and Global

During the summit in Helsinki, Prime Minister Tusk met with President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen, and leaders from Baltic and Nordic countries. The discussions covered not only regional but also global issues, including Greenland and Canada.

"I am convinced that politically, those who recognize the need to maintain NATO and transatlantic relations as one of the most important issues will prevail in Europe," stated Donald Tusk.

The Baltic Sea NATO Allies Summit in Helsinki demonstrates the Baltic region's determination to build a safe and stable future and its opposition to the actions of the Russian Federation.

"Everyone understands that Europe should be more united, not less. We should show solidarity, not just towards Ukraine but as a political entity in general. EU member states should support each other in every critical situation," added Donald Tusk.

The planned actions aim to deter those profiting from infrastructure destruction. This will be achieved when all countries in the region show they are ready to make firm decisions. The leaders committed to developing a special agreement on critical infrastructure protection.

A Strong and United Baltic – A Joint Statement

During the Helsinki summit, leaders signed a joint statement. The key points include:

• Condemnation of Sabotage: Leaders condemned acts of sabotage and pledged to counteract them, promising a decisive response to any attempts to damage infrastructure.
• NATO Actions: Announcing the NATO initiative "Baltic Sentry" to increase vigilance and activating the Task Force-Baltic Command in Rostock to coordinate actions in the region.
• Regional and Private Sector Cooperation: Cooperation with the private sector, developing monitoring technologies, and sharing information and best practices.
• Response to Russian Threats: Countries condemned the actions of the Russian "shadow fleet," which threatens infrastructure and the environment, supports the war in Ukraine, and bypasses sanctions. They announced increased inspections, tracking tools, and new sanctions.
• Increased Resilience: Leaders agreed on modernizing infrastructure, strengthening the security of energy and communication networks, and enhancing repair and monitoring capabilities.
• NATO-EU Coordination: Emphasizing the need for closer NATO-EU cooperation, including actions to protect infrastructure and counter global threats.

Joint Statement of the Baltic Sea NATO Allies Summit