On January 14, 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte co-hosted a Summit of Baltic Sea Allies in Helsinki, focused on addressing the increasing threats to critical infrastructure in the region, particularly undersea energy and communication cables, which have been targeted by recent sabotage.
A key outcome of the summit was the announcement of “Baltic Sentry,” a new NATO military initiative aimed at enhancing the protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The initiative will include the deployment of frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval drones, along with the integration of national surveillance assets to bolster security and response capabilities.
NATO will also collaborate with industry partners through the Critical Undersea Infrastructure Network to further protect underwater assets and improve resilience.
Secretary General Rutte emphasized the need for strong enforcement of security measures, pointing to Finland’s example of taking firm legal action against threats.
He noted that potential threats to infrastructure could result in consequences such as boarding, impounding, or arrest of violators. This initiative reflects NATO’s commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring regional security.