NATO to strengthen defences against sabotage and cyber attacks
NATO will take new measures against attacks such as sabotage and cyber-attacks. "Both Russia and China have tried to destabilise our countries and societies through sabotage, cyber-attacks, disinformation and energy blackmail," said secretary-general Mark Rutte after a meeting with NATO foreign ministers in Brussels on Wednesday.
This includes more intelligence sharing, more exercises, better protection of critical infrastructure and better cyber defence, Rutte says. The former Dutch prime minister also wants action against Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers. These ships, whose ownership is unclear and which are often uninsured, are used to circumvent a Western price cap on Russian oil exports to other countries.
Increase in incidents
According to German Foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, there will also be more patrols in the Baltic Sea to monitor pipelines and data cables. The number of 'hybrid attacks' by Russia and its allies is increasing, she said on Wednesday.
In November, two fibre-optic cables in the Baltic Sea were damaged in quick succession. The cause is still unclear. Swedish authorities are investigating possible sabotage.
But increased patrols also increase the risk of incidents, such as last week's between a German army helicopter and a Russian ship in the Baltic Sea. According to the German news agency DPA, the ship fired signal ammunition at the helicopter, which are normally only used in emergency situations.
NATO sources informed that the helicopter had not been deployed on behalf of the alliance. The helicopter was also never in danger, according to sources in the German government.
No peace in sight
Incidents such as these are why Rutte sees no signs that Russian president Vladimir Putin is interested in ending the war anytime soon. "Russia's aggression shows no signs of abating. On the contrary, Putin is stepping up his rhetoric and continuing to act recklessly."
"Russia's aggression shows no signs of abating"
NATO's response to that should be additional support, Rutte said. "The stronger our military support for Ukraine is now, the better the position at the negotiating table will be. And the quicker we can put an end to Russian aggression in Ukraine once and for all."
PHOTO © JOHN THYS / AFP
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