Germany's Foreign Minister: Russia Views the Baltic Sea as a Conflict Zone

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Friday at the opening of the Kiel Security Conference that Russia increasingly views the Baltic Sea as a conflict zone. He emphasized that the Baltic Sea is extremely important for NATO's defense, serving as a strategic route for reinforcements and supplies, and that Russia is well aware of this.

The conference gathered politicians, military officials, and experts to discuss the evolving situation in the Baltic region. Wadephul listed a series of incidents: sabotage, espionage, GPS signal jamming, drone and fighter jet incursions into NATO airspace, passages of Russia's "shadow fleet," and repeated appearances of Russian research vessels near critical infrastructure.

These risks, he said, are why NATO conducts Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercises, now led by the US Navy for the 55th time. Wadephul described the exercises as a symbol of NATO unity.

He also recalled that the US has long urged European countries to invest more in their own defense, but Europeans were reluctant to listen. However, times have changed, and most European countries are now making sustainable investments in their armed forces.