EU chief of diplomacy accuses Moscow of sabotage in Europe
Photo: Kaja Kallas (Getty Images)
The sabotage incidents occurring in Europe in recent months are not isolated cases but part of a system of coordinated actions to destabilize the EU's infrastructure. Moscow is involved in these incidents, DW reports, citing Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
In an interview with the newspaper Welt, Kallas said that the number of sabotage incidents in Europe has increased since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For example, Kallas mentioned the damage to the Estlink 2 underwater cable in the Baltic Sea, which Finnish investigators suspect was caused by the tanker Eagle S from Russia's so-called "shadow fleet."
In light of this, Kallas announced introducing stricter measures against Russian ships. She noted that vessels from Russia's "shadow fleet," which operate in violation of regulations, are also responsible for environmental pollution.
Kallas believes that after the US power is transferred to President-elect Donald Trump's administration, Washington must act "confidently and decisively" toward Russia and continue supporting Kyiv.
"Assistance to Ukraine is not a handout but an investment in the security of all of us. If the United States firmly opposes Russia, it will prevent problems with China. Supporting Ukraine will protect Americans from future conflicts," said the EU High Representative.
Kallas also referred in the interview to the crash of an Azerbaijani passenger plane. The main version of the tragedy suggests that the aircraft was shot down by a Russian air defense system while attempting to land in Grozny. According to Kallas, "increasing evidence" supports this version. Ultimately, the responsibility for the incident lies with the Russian authorities, she noted. Moscow "created the conditions for this disaster to occur," Kallas emphasized.
The EU chief of diplomacy also raised the issue of using Russia's frozen assets to support Ukraine during the war and for the country's recovery. "Russia must pay for the damage it has caused. Kyiv's demand for compensation is legitimate. We should discuss how some or all of the frozen assets can be used to strengthen Ukraine," Kallas stated.
Earlier, on December 25, underwater electricity cables between Estonia and Finland were damaged.
Finnish police subsequently confiscated the Russian tanker Eagle S, which had damaged the cables with its anchor.
Finland also stated that detaining the Russian tanker prevented several serious acts of sabotage, as the vessel could have continued damaging underwater communications.
