Lithuanian foreign minister urges strong response to attacks on Baltic Sea infrastructure

VILNIUS - Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys called for a firm and decisive response to attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea as he met with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics on Thursday.

"Attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea require a strong and decisive response. It is important to act together and mobilize all available means to prevent hostile regimes from carrying out malicious activities in our waters," Lithuania's top diplomat was quoted as saying in a press release.

Budrys emphasized that the situation in the Baltic Sea calls for immediate action to ensure the security of critical infrastructure by expanding NATO patrols, imposing sanctions on Russia's shadow fleet, and revising navigation rules, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Several underwater cables have been damaged in the sea recently, prompting NATO to step up its military presence in the area.

The Estlink 2 electricity cable and four telecom cables linking Finland and Estonia were damaged in a suspected sabotage attack on December 25.

This occurred just weeks after other Baltic Sea cables were severed in similar incidents that experts and politicians say are part of Russia's hybrid war against Western nations.

In their Thursday morning meeting, Budrys and Rinkevics also discussed the security situation in the region, energy resilience, enhancing defense capabilities, and supporting Ukraine.

The Lithuanian foreign minister emphasized the importance of continuing military, financial, and political support for Ukraine and rallying allies for this goal.

Both Lithuania and Latvia have pledged to allocate 0.25 percent of their GDP to military assistance for Ukraine.

"It is important to keep Ukraine in the international spotlight. Ukraine's victory - a lasting and sustainable peace - is a guarantee of a secure future for the whole of Europe," Budrys said.

The Lithuanian and Latvian officials also discussed the need for NATO allies to increase defense spending.

NATO members set a minimum defense spending level of 2 percent of GDP in 2023, and Russia's war in Ukraine has prompted the Alliance to strengthen its eastern flank and increase spending.

Lithuania's 2023 budget earmarks up to 4 percent of GDP for defense.