Russian authorities are preparing to ensure that Western countries cannot hinder the movement of Russian ships in the Baltic Sea. Vladimir Putin supports various measures for this purpose. The Russian president's aide Nikolai Patrushev spoke about this on Monday.
Patrushev said that NATO's activities in the Baltic Sea are like piracy. He cited as an example the Estonian Navy's attempt to stop the Russian cargo ship Jaguar in the Gulf of Finland.
The Russian Maritime Board discussed how to protect Russian ships. They also talked about the security of the Ust-Luga port. This is important because Western countries are trying to limit Russian cargo transportation.
Patrushev accused Western countries of violating international law. He said that these countries want to control Russian cargo ships. Estonian authorities may allow shooting at "dangerous ships."
Russia is strengthening its maritime defense. They have installed new equipment and established better communication. This helps protect critical infrastructure.
The governor of the Leningrad region said that goods are sent from the Ust-Luga port to many countries. However, the growing economy also brings new risks. New security measures are now being tested at the port.
Ukrainian expert Anton Gerashchenko said that Russia itself is creating tensions in the Baltic Sea. He mentioned how Russian military personnel stopped a Greek tanker. NATO countries now find it easier to block Russian ships.