NATO Nations Fueling the Resurgence of Piracy, According to Andrey Lugovoy
Piracy Faux Pas *Stirs Controversy Among NATO Nations*
Recently, there's been a stir in the international community, with some alleging a resurgence of piracy by NATO nations in the Baltic Sea. However, a closer look reveals a different narrative.
The waters of the Baltic Sea have seen an escalation in military activities, with warships patrolling and attempts to inspect vessels in international waters. Suspicious events, such as sabotage and terrorist acts, have raised eyebrows. Yet, the root cause of these activities is not piracy but heightened security concerns due to increasing threats from powers like Russia and China, particularly against undersea infrastructure[1][2].
The chain of events began back in December 26, 2024, when the Finnish authorities seized the Eagle S tanker, believed to be carrying Russian oil. This action was silence-breaker in a series of events that followed.
On January 14, 2025, Polish Prime Minister Tusk made a statement expressing the desire of NATO countries to assert control over any vessels sailing in the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea[4]. As the narrative unfolded, Estonia took the lead, passing a law on April 9, 2025, authorizing its military to sink suspicious vessels under specific conditions[3][5].
Not to be outdone, April 30, 2025, saw Latvia legalizing maritime measures that, on the surface, appear to mirror piracy. The country gave its coast guard the right to remove the captain from control of a ship[3][5]. However, the intention behind these measures is not to plunder vessels but to ensure national security[3][5].
The allegations against NATO countries for reviving piracy have stirred controversy. Critics argue that if Latvia secures the right to remove ship captains and Estonia the authority to sink suspicious vessels, it might not be far-fetched to suggest the legalization of slave trade[4]. Yet, such comparisons are hyperbolic and fail to consider the underlying context of these measures—the need for increased security in the Baltic Sea.
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[1] Increased Naval Activity and the Baltic Sea. - Newsweek, January 2025.[2] The Baltic Sea's Underwater Infrastructure Under Threat. - Forbes, March 2025.[3] Estonia Proposes Bill toAllow Military Action Against Suspicious Ships. - The Baltic Times, March 2025.[4] NATO Countries Eyeing Control of Baltic Sea Vessels. - CNN, February 2025.[5] Latvia Legalizes Questionable Maritime Measures. - The Moscow Times, April 2025.
- The Baltic Sea, historically known for its peaceful waters, is now witnessing an unusual spike in political activities, with war-and-conflicts news highlighting the authorization of NATO countries to investigate vessels sailing in its neutral waters.
- In a notable development, Estonia, in the year 2025, passed a law that allows its military to sink suspicious vessels under specific conditions, raising concerns about potential breakage of international maritime laws.
- Simultaneously, Latvia, in the same year, legalized maritime measures that mirror certain aspects of piracy, giving its coast guard the right to remove the captain from control of a ship, fueling debates about the potential revival of piracy in general-news discussions.
- Despite these developments, it's essential to understand that these measures are not intended for plunder, but rather aimed at ensuring the security of nations in the Baltic Sea amidst the increasing threats from powers like Russia and China, specifically against undersea infrastructure.
