Foreign Minister Tsahkna at the CBSS ministerial meeting: Threats of the shadow fleet must be tackled more decisively
Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
16.05.2025 | 17:27
Yesterday and today, on 15 and 16 May, the foreign ministers and high-ranking officials of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) gathered in Vihula under the Estonian Presidency to discuss the threats posed by the activities of the shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure. The meeting included the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on the protection of critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and the presentation of the report on the future of the CBSS.
"This week's serious incident with a vessel of Russia's shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea was a clear sign of Russia's hostile and dangerous actions against us. We are facing a volatile security environment, and therefore we have decided that we must put the security of the region at the centre of the CBSS," Foreign Minister Tsahkna said at a meeting in Vihula. "Russia is pushing the boundaries - this time, a fighter aircraft of the Russian Federation violated Estonian airspace to protect the oil tanker of the shadow fleet. This incident clearly showed Russia's direct involvement in the shadow fleet and that it needs to be targeted even faster and more forcefully with sanctions," he said.
Tsahkna also stressed that the Russia's shadow fleet is a tool for circumventing sanctions and poses a major threat to both the environment and critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. "With this in mind, the ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on the protection of underwater critical infrastructure." According to the memorandum, the Baltic Sea states have a common goal to work together on ensuring the security and resilience of critical underwater infrastructure to enhance the monitoring of underwater infrastructure, prevent infrastructure incidents and, where necessary, repair damaged infrastructure and develop related capabilities. "A closer engagement with the private sector is also crucial, including in the development of cross-border cooperation projects. The states are also boosting cooperation in the European Union and NATO," Tsahkna said.
"Of course, during the Estonian Presidency of the CBSS, we have also focused on continued support for Ukraine. Our countries have collectively been among the biggest providers of political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people - and this will continue," Tsahkna said. "Russia does not want peace - we saw this clearly yesterday when President Putin refused to accept President Zelenskyy's invitation to peace negotiations."
The ministers also issued a joint statement stressing the importance of the CBSS in addressing the security challenges in the region, condemning Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine and outlining the CBSS member states' actions and subsequent proposals aimed at ending it. The joint statement can be found here.
At the meeting, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis presented a report with their vision and analysis of the future of the CBSS format. The full report can be found here.
Estonia has held the presidency of the CBSS since 1 July last year. During our Presidency, we highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in countering hybrid threats. In addition, cooperation with Ukrainian partners in the areas of civil protection and the fight against trafficking in human beings intensified during the Presidency. The presidency also focused on the continuity of the organisation and the development of ongoing activities, including the drafting of the CBSS anti-trafficking and child protection strategies for the 2025-2030 period. Poland will take over the presidency of the CBSS on 1 July.
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