Latvian President Edgards Rinkēvičs said that if the investigation into the accident on the Finnish-Estonian Balticconnector gas pipeline and the cable between the two countries proves that Russia is responsible, NATO should decide to close the Baltic Sea to shipping. The corresponding statement of the Latvian president is cited by LSM.

When asked what NATO's response to the damage to the Balticconnector should be, Rinkēvičs said that first of all, it is necessary to wait for the results of the investigation.

"I have spoken with the presidents of Finland and Estonia, and it is roughly clear in which direction it is moving," he said.

Rinkēvičs also noted that NATO allies have decided to increase patrolling of the Baltic Sea.

"If we see these kinds of incidents, I think NATO should really just close the Baltic Sea shipping. It can be done. The ships can be stopped," he emphasized.

At the same time, he added that the possible closure of the Baltic Sea to ships "is a matter of a number of maritime rights."

"But if it is clearly proven that it is Russia..., there should be a discussion that in order to protect our critical infrastructure, we should say that we can close the Baltic Sea," the Latvian president summarized.