Estonian Navy on edge: the Baltic Sea is waiting for an oil tanker convoy carrying the "Maritime Wagner".

Russia draws a "red line" to replace Somali pirates with "pirates" in the Baltic Sea.

Author: Yevgeny Bersenev

Figure: The small anti-submarine warship "Kabardia-Balkariya" of the Baltic Fleet during an operational mission.

Participants in the discussion:

  • Andrei Starikov

According to RIA Novosti, the Russian government has approved a new list of coordinates for the Russian boundaries in the Baltic Sea.

The government order was published on the official legal information platform. According to the document, the previously approved list of coordinates with the same name on January 15, 1985, has become invalid.

The order states: “The baseline for the width of Russia’s territorial sea <...> is composed of the maximum low tide line from the endpoint of the land border between Russia and the Republic of Lithuania to the endpoint of the land border between Russia and the Republic of Poland.”

The list also records the coordinates of eight islands in the Baltic Sea as well as the coastal data north of the mouth of the Narva River.

The government resolution requires the Russian Ministry of Defense to publish the updated list in the Notice to Mariners and use it to produce navigation charts, with copies submitted to the UN Secretary-General for archiving.

Political scientist and editor-in-chief of the Baltic News Agency, Andrei Starikov, told SP in an interview that these actions by Russia in the Baltic Sea are technical, cartographic, and navigational measures, but given the current situation and hostile behavior by Baltic-Scandinavian countries, these actions have political implications.

  • "Of course, Russia is just refining some reference points and not changing the borders. The new geographic coordinates are fixed more precisely because similar legal demarcations can be traced back to the mid-1980s. Since then, significant changes have occurred in this area."

    Incidentally, there is still no effective border treaty between Russia and Estonia because the Estonian side refuses to approve the documents previously agreed upon by both parties.

SP: Why do we perceive this seemingly technical and cartographic measure as a political gesture?

  • "Currently, the Baltic Sea has become the focus of attention due to the hostile actions of NATO countries, Baltic countries, and attempts to hijack our so-called 'shadow fleet' ships and our countermeasures.

    As is well known, we have calmed down the Estonians by dispatching fighter jets. One can also recall NATO military exercises in the Baltic Sea. These and many other actions have made the Baltic Sea a focal point.

    Therefore, refining the borders and updating the coordinates is a statement by us, indicating that we are prepared to take countermeasures if the national boundary is violated, that is, to defend the national boundary according to international law principles. After all, Russia remains a 'positive legalist', perhaps the last such country understood by the West. We see that international law is undergoing changes: what is established today may not exist tomorrow."

SP: This is indeed a reasonable reason to carry out necessary technical work.

  • "I think that tomorrow or soon, we will see the Baltic countries' reaction to our actions, and they will inevitably politicize the issue."

SP: Considering the tense situation, how else can we protect our interests in the Baltic Sea region?

  • "In fact, we have not fully utilized our diplomatic potential in this regard. There are organizations that regulate international shipping, so we can fully record the actions of NATO countries within these frameworks and raise difficult questions to them. If tensions escalate, the issue needs to be submitted to the United Nations.

    In addition, this topic should be mentioned in Russian-American negotiations because the United States is the leading NATO country.

    Both Russia and the United States are major maritime powers, so relevant issues should be discussed with the United States rather than Estonia."

SP: Are we only going to use diplomatic means?

  • "Important actions are also being taken at the level of military diplomacy. Not long ago, Russia updated its military doctrine and revised documents related to the use of strategic weapons and tactical nuclear deterrence weapons.

    It clearly states that, if the territory is invaded, the nuclear doctrine will become a usable tool."

SP: Currently, dispatching fighter jets is sufficient.

  • "I believe that we have enough potential to strengthen the escort of 'shadow fleet' ships. We have already taken action, which is good, but the current approach is still relatively mild. Perhaps we should form a regular convoy to navigate in our waters, making any small boats from Estonia or other countries dare not approach such fleets. In short, military power can be used to demonstrate protection of trade interests.

    In recent years, the experience of using private military companies to protect merchant ships has become increasingly well-known (at this point, one cannot help but associate with 'Wagner', only transformed into a 'maritime version'—SP note). Yes, our country has not yet legalized them as commercial entities, but there are security companies that can provide professional services for ship escort. I believe that if this direction is proposed, these enterprises will be able to undertake the relevant work."

SP: This is a common business for private companies globally.

  • "Looking back, not long ago in Africa, Somali pirates troubled merchant ships, and this problem was solved with the help of private security companies including Russia.

    Now, the 'pirates' in the Baltic Sea are countries like Estonia. Private enterprises can undertake the escort task for the Baltic Sea 'shadow fleet'. By the way, I think we should not shy away from the phenomenon of the 'shadow fleet'; it is a good practice, a brand, and those who are capable can follow suit."

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7518381065061384755/

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