Eleanor Finch
In May 2024, Russia's Defense Ministry proposed revising the coordinates used to measure the strip of territorial waters off its mainland coast and that of its islands in the Baltic Sea. This proposal was met with concern by Baltic Sea nations, who viewed it as a potential challenge to their borders and a possible violation of a U.N. convention. Russia later denied any intention to revise the border or the width of its territorial waters, claiming that the proposal was not political but rather a response to escalating tensions and the need to ensure their security. This incident highlights the complex diplomacy surrounding the Baltic Sea, which has historically been a region of strategic importance for various European powers, including Russia, Britain, Denmark, Sweden, and Prussia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Baltic Sea bordered by | Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden |
| Russia's proposal to revise its maritime border | Could violate a U.N. convention |
| Russia's defence ministry's argument for the proposal | The existing maritime border was established in 1985 on the basis of nautical charts now out of use |
| Russia's defence ministry's proposal deletion | Russia's news agencies denied the intention to change the border |
| Russia's defence ministry's proposal deletion reason | There was “nothing political” in the proposal |
| Russia's stance on the proposal | The proposal was a routine act and not a provocation |
| Impact of Russia's proposal on Finland and Sweden | Finland and Sweden have joined NATO |
| Impact of Russia's proposal on Baltic Sea | The Baltic Sea is now almost surrounded by members of the NATO military alliance |
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What You'll Learn
Russia's proposal to redraw Baltic Sea border
On May 22, 2024, a draft Russian decree proposed revising its borders in the Baltic Sea. The decree suggested moving the sea borders around Russian islands in the Gulf of Finland and around the exclave of Kaliningrad. The decree was highlighted when Russia's Tass news agency and other media reported on its proposal to redraw old borders from the Soviet era in January 1985. It was not immediately clear if the draft proposed extending its borders into Finnish or Lithuanian waters. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, all members of the EU and NATO, expressed concern over the proposal, with Lithuania's foreign minister calling it an "obvious escalation" against the US-led NATO military alliance and the European Union. Sweden, which joined NATO in March, also expressed concern, as it had beefed up its military presence on the Baltic island of Gotland.
The Russian defence ministry's official submission stated that the 1985 border measurement used mid-20th-century nautical charts that did not correspond to modern cartographical coordinates. The defence ministry proposed that the changes would come into force in January of the next year and would apply to crew on sea vessels, law enforcement, and defence and security officials operating in the eastern Gulf of Finland. However, the proposal was deleted from the official portal the next day, with a Russian source stating that there were no plans to revise Russia's territorial waters in the Baltic. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied any political motivation behind the proposal, attributing it to the escalation of tension and confrontation in the Baltic region.
The Baltic states and Finland urged calm, with Finnish President Alexander Stubb stating that Finland was monitoring the situation calmly and based on facts. Similarly, Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stated that he did not see any reason for greater concern at the moment. Despite the deletion of the proposal, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis maintained that the proposal was a deliberate provocation and must be met with a firm response.
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Finland, Lithuania, and other Baltic countries react
Finland, Lithuania, and the other Baltic countries have historically been cautious of Russian influence in the region. They have sought to maintain their independence and neutrality, especially in the context of proposed pacts and treaties. For example, in the 1930s, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania rejected a proposal from Russia and Poland for a joint guarantee of the security and independence of the Baltic States. They viewed this as an attempt to place them under Russian influence and oppose Germany, which would compromise their neutrality. Lithuania, in particular, has had a complex relationship with Russia, initially desiring a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union in 1926 to strengthen its position against Poland. However, Lithuania also expressed hesitancy and regret when rejecting the Russian proposal in the 1930s, indicating a desire for all interested powers to be involved in guaranteeing the security of the Baltic States.
The Baltic countries have also experienced economic and political challenges due to their proximity to Russia. During the Soviet occupation, Lithuania sent about a third of its annual national budgets to the USSR, and all the Baltic states suffered significant economic underdevelopment compared to other European countries. The Soviet Union pressured Finland and the Baltic states to conclude mutual assistance treaties, and the establishment of military bases in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania further solidified Soviet influence in the region.
In terms of diplomatic relations, the Baltic countries have sought to balance their relationships with Russia and other powers. For instance, the Baltic Entente between Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in 1934 was a response to the Polish-German rapprochement, which caused alarm in Lithuania. Additionally, the Baltic States signed the convention denning aggression with Russia and other powers in 1933. However, the Baltic countries have also been cautious of German influence, as seen in the case of Lithuania, which was assigned to the German sphere of influence in the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact but later had the majority of its territory assigned to the Soviet Union.
Overall, Finland, Lithuania, and the other Baltic countries have navigated complex diplomatic relationships with Russia, Germany, and other powers. They have sought to maintain their independence, neutrality, and economic stability while being cautious of the intentions of larger neighbouring countries. Their reactions have been shaped by a desire to balance influences and ensure their security in a dynamic geopolitical environment.
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Russia's denial of intention to change border
Russia's denial of its intention to change the Baltic Sea border came amid rising tensions with the West and concerns over its military buildup and aggression towards Ukraine.
In May 2024, a draft decree by Russia's defence ministry proposed unilaterally redrawing its border in the Baltic Sea, which alarmed NATO allies. The decree argued that the maritime border, established in 1985 based on outdated nautical charts, needed revision as it did not allow for the establishment of Russia's internal waters and did not consider the practices of other states. The proposed changes were to come into force in January of the following year and would have impacted sea vessels and security officials in the eastern Gulf of Finland.
However, Russia soon withdrew the proposal without explanation, and its news agencies, TASS, Interfax, and RIA, ran identical articles citing an unnamed military-diplomatic source denying any intention to change the border. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that there was "nothing political" about the initial proposal, despite the changed political context since the border was first established. He denied that the proposal was connected to Russia's standoff with the West, stating that the tension and confrontation in the Baltic region had escalated.
This denial of intentions to change the Baltic Sea border occurred amidst a broader context of Russia's aggressive actions and disinformation campaigns. Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and military buildup near NATO borders led NATO to deploy defensive battlegroups to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland. Additionally, Russia's war against Ukraine, marked by disinformation and false-flag attacks, has shattered peace and stability in Europe, with NATO identifying Russia as the most significant threat to its allies' security.
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Baltic Sea nations' wary response to Russia's proposal
Baltic Sea nations have reacted with wariness to a reported Russian proposal to revise its maritime border. In a draft proposal, Russia's Defence Ministry suggested updating the coordinates used to measure the strip of territorial waters off its mainland coast and that of its islands in the Baltic Sea. The existing coordinates were approved in 1985 and were based on small-scale nautical navigation maps, according to the ministry. However, it was not immediately clear from the draft whether the proposed changes would shift the border or merely clarify it.
Lithuania's foreign minister called the proposal an "obvious escalation" that must be met with an "appropriately firm response". German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who was visiting Lithuania, echoed these remarks, saying that it appeared to be another example of "hybrid warfare" by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Baltic News Service reported that Lithuania summoned the Russian representative for a detailed explanation.
The proposal comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Baltic region, with Finland and Sweden joining NATO following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. The Baltic Sea, Russia's maritime point of access to the city of St. Petersburg and its Kaliningrad enclave, is now almost surrounded by military alliance members. Kaliningrad, home to the Russian Navy's Baltic Fleet, is bordered by Lithuania and Poland.
While Russia's Interfax news agency cited an unnamed military-diplomatic source as saying Moscow does not intend to revise the border or the width of its territorial waters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the proposal was not political. Peskov added that escalating tensions and the level of confrontation in the Baltic region require appropriate steps to ensure Russia's security.
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Historical British intervention in the Baltic
The British have historically had a presence in the Baltic region, with several instances of military intervention. One notable example was the British campaign in the Baltic from 1918 to 1919, which began shortly after the Armistice that ended the First World War. An Estonian delegation appealed to London for assistance, requesting troops, ships, and arms to defend against the Bolsheviks. Britain decided to send a substantial naval force to the Baltic but refused to provide ground troops. The Royal Navy played a crucial role in denying the Bolsheviks the ability to move by sea and provided support to Estonian and Latvian troops through bombardments and supply runs. British warships also captured two Bolshevik destroyers, Avtroil and Spartak, which were later presented to the Estonian Provisional Government and formed the core of the Estonian Navy.
Earlier, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Britain was engaged in the Napoleonic Wars, which saw the French revolutionary armies sweeping across Europe. This conflict had significant repercussions in the Baltic region. As borders shifted, Britain faced the challenge of blockading an increasing number of ports, stretching the capabilities of the Royal Navy. The merchant marines of nations like Denmark and Sweden grew in significance, as merchants from overrun countries transferred their cargos and vessels to neutral flags. However, the British viewed all goods entering enemy ports as a potential threat, leading to naval skirmishes between British blockading squadrons and Danish convoys in 1798, 1799, and 1800.
These confrontations with Denmark prompted the Danes to revive the old League of Armed Neutrality, which aimed to protect Baltic nations' ships and merchant vessels during times of conflict. The formation of this league, which included Russia, Sweden, and Prussia, was seen as a threat to British security and access to Baltic naval stores. In response, Britain decided to take decisive action, meeting the league head-on and ultimately defeating it through a combination of luck, skill, and the determination of British sailors.
Another notable event in the Baltic during this period was the British intervention in 1800-1801. At the time, Sweden harboured ambitions to seize Norway, while Prussia or France posed a threat to Danish territories such as Schleswig and Holstein. Count Bernstorff of Denmark had to navigate these complex geopolitical dynamics and assess the dangers posed by Russia and Britain. He ultimately decided that Britain was the lesser threat and believed that Denmark's historical friendship with Britain would deter any hostile actions.
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Frequently asked questions
The Baltic Sea is a body of water that serves as Russia's maritime point of access to the city of St. Petersburg and its Kaliningrad enclave.
In May 2024, Russia proposed to unilaterally redraw its border in the Baltic Sea, which alarmed NATO allies. However, the proposal was later deleted without explanation.
Baltic Sea nations, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Poland, reacted warily to Russia's reported proposal to revise its maritime border. Lithuania's foreign minister called it an "obvious escalation" that required a firm response.
Yes, Russia's news agencies TASS, Interfax, and RIA ran articles citing an unnamed military-diplomatic source denying any intention to change the border. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also denied the proposal, stating that it was not political and was instead a response to escalating tensions in the region.
An example of diplomacy involving the Baltic Sea is the British intervention in the Baltic from 1800-1801. Britain demanded that Denmark leave the League of Armed Neutrality, threatening to use force if they refused. Denmark, however, made overtures to Russia, Sweden, and Prussia to recreate the League, demonstrating their loyalty to the Coalition and their cordial relationship with England.
