NATO leaders from the Baltic region convened in Finland for an urgent summit.

In the Finnish capital, Helsinki, a meeting of NATO member countries with access to the Baltic Sea is taking place, with the primary focus on the security of underwater infrastructure.

According to reports from Yle.

The summit involves NATO members whose countries are situated around the Baltic Sea. The leaders' meeting is accompanied by extensive security measures, with police observed even on the roof of the presidential palace.

In the afternoon, a press conference is expected to feature Finnish President Alexander Stubb, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated before the meeting that Stockholm would not accuse anyone without proper evidence, but a series of cable damages in the Baltic does not seem like a mere coincidence.

“It is very likely that these are deliberate actions by a hostile country. Therefore, it is crucial for NATO to respond immediately,” emphasized Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs praised Finland's swift response to the recent major incident on December 25 and noted that countermeasures should be taken to prevent similar events from occurring. Among other things, he called for strengthening sanctions against Russia's "shadow" fleet.

“It is important for us to coordinate legal actions together if the ships of the 'shadow' fleet pose a threat in the Baltic Sea,” stated German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

He also expressed the opinion that private owners of these cables should be involved in the oversight system for underwater infrastructure.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that a telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Germany near the Russian Nord Stream gas pipeline was found severed in the Baltic Sea.