Europe must prepare for further escalation of the conflict with Russia in the Baltic Sea. Helge Adrians of the Berlin discipline and Politics Foundation (SWP) in an interview with the DW foresees a crucial increase in cases of escorting Russian tankers-walled by the Russian Navy in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. According to his analysis, the next phase of escalation of the conflict with Russia in the Baltic Sea region is inevitable.
The expert points to the latest EU sanction package, including Russian oil and gas exports. He besides points out Russia's continued reinforcements, for example in the waters of Lake Ladoga close St. Petersburg.
Checks off the coast of Denmark
Since the beginning of this year, Denmark has tightened up controls of alleged "spectrum tankers" which are likely to sail for Russia and frequently have a vague ownership structure.
On a request from DW, the Danish Maritime Office (DMA) confirmed that more than 60 tankers had been inspected since February close the town of Skagen. There may besides have been ships of the alleged Russian shadow fleet.
Two of them were detained due to maritime safety, environmental protection and the protection of seafarers. "The Danish Maritime Office has stepped up its efforts to guarantee that tankers anchoring before Skagen comply with the rules," says a written consequence given to DW. These actions are in line with the EU's sanctions on the Russian natural material economy, which sustains Moscow's violent war against Ukraine.
Environmental hazard
However, according to global maritime law, the states on the Baltic Sea must warrant the free movement of ships. – The threshold at which a country like Denmark can control the ship in its exclusive economical region at sea, board it and yet prevent it from continuing its journey is very high," said Christian Bueger of Copenhagen University in an interview with DW.
It is crossed, for example, erstwhile a ship has no flag or erstwhile it was flying the flag of Panama yesterday, and present it is flying the flag of Liberia. The authorities may then presume that the ship is stateless, and this is prohibited by global maritime law. Also, if there is simply a threat to the environment, the country can take specified measures," explains Christian Bueger.
Therefore, the DMA, while stopping ships before Skagen, cites in peculiar safety and conservation standards. “These steps are taken in consequence to the movement of older oil transport vessels through the Danish straits, which represents an increased hazard and gives origin for concern about safety at sea, seafarers and the environment”, adds the expert.
"Dynamic provocation" with Russia
Russia, however, considers these reasons an excuse. At the end of May, Dmitri Pieskov, spokesperson for Russian president Vladimir Putin, stated that Russia would defend the movement of ships "with all legal means". safety forces are being considered on ships commissioned by Russia.
Christian Bueger warns against escalation of the conflict in the Baltic Sea region. "In fact, the point now is to see how the another side reacts to the actions taken," he said in an interview with DW.
Europe must "be prepared to escalate tensions with Russia, which will not only happen at sea. I think we will be increasingly observing the usage of drones," said the expert who released a fresh book on global politics in the seas and oceans in July.
