Germany suspects that the damage to two cables under the Baltic Sea is the result of sabotage

2024-11-19 15:11:15, Kosova & Bota CNA

Germany suspects that the damage to two cables under the Baltic Sea is the

Germany says two communication cables under the Baltic Sea were most likely damaged on purpose. Two fiber optic cables - one linking Finland to Germany and the other linking Sweden to Lithuania - were down on Sunday and Monday, a reminder of previous security incidents on waterways affected by the war between Russia and Ukraine.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday that no one could believe that the damage to the two cables was accidental.

"We have to conclude, even without knowing exactly who did such a thing, that it is a hybrid strike. We must also assume, without knowing at the moment of course, that it is a question of sabotage".

The damage was discovered on Monday on the C-Lion1 cable, about 1,200 kilometers long that stretches from the Finnish capital, Helsinki, to the German port city of Rostock. Another cable between Lithuania and Sweden was also damaged.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Mr. Pistorius said that the defense situation in Europe is endangered not only by the military threat but also by the hybrid one presented by Russia.

"This means that we have to be vigilant about the general defense, not just the military one. The damage to the two cables is a further reminder of this. A very clear sign that something is happening here," he said.

The foreign ministries of Finland and Germany said Monday evening that the damage raised suspicions of sabotage. In a statement they said that the two countries are investigating the incident and that it is essential to protect this "critical infrastructure".

Mr Pistorius was also asked about Friday's phone conversation between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"This phone call proved that Putin is not ready to negotiate on anything. Everyone in Germany or in other countries in Europe should understand that this is not the time to talk about peace, because of course we all want peace, but Putin does not want such a thing."

The call was severely criticized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but Mr. Pistorius said that communication is always important./ VOA