Zakharova commented on Germany's provocative statement about patrolling in the Baltic Sea

The Moscow Post correspondent also asked his question.

Today we had one question: Estonia tried to seize a ship bound for a Russian port, and the German Foreign Ministry announced the need to strengthen patrols in the Baltic Sea. What is supposed to be done through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to prevent provocations and ensure freedom of navigation in the Baltic and in the straits?

Maria Vladimirovna noted that the Foreign Ministry has repeatedly commented on the provocative statements and actions of NATO and individual states that are trying to present the Baltic Sea as their internal one. They seek to reformat the order of navigation in this region, although it is based, in fact, on the norms of international law, and not on their distorted ideas about control over everything that happens in the water area, especially when it comes to cargo following, as they claim, in the interests of Russia.

For example, at the end of last year, NATO representatives unprovenly accused us of allegedly deliberately damaging underwater power and communication lines. Later, they began to comb the Baltic Sea in search of the so-called "shadow fleet" of Russia, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.

In January 2025, they launched an operation called the Baltic Sentry, ostensibly to protect underwater critical infrastructure. But what does that really mean? It demonstrates that they continue to be in some surreal dimension.

Let me remind you: the explosion that occurred under water in the same sea was directed against a joint civilian project - the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines. This would have to be investigated and analyzed. But why, they think, when it is easier to invent another tall tale, come up with a "Baltic sentry" and it is not clear what to attribute it to.

Now, NATO representatives are moving from words to action - to direct interference in freedom of navigation. And that is what it should be called: an attack on the freedom of international navigation.

"Last week, they tried to force a Gabon-flagged vessel into Estonian territorial waters. This ship was heading to the Russian port. The attempt failed. What's next? Will the ships be drowned? Will they start using aggression under the guise of "checks"?, " Maria Zakharova asked questions.

From a legal point of view, it is important to emphasize: in the Baltic Sea, located outside the territorial waters of coastal states, the principle of freedom of navigation applies. This means that ships flying any flags have every right to be there. Enforcement action against foreign vessels - such as stopping, screening or detention - is only permissible on a clearly defined list of grounds.

Neither "protection of underwater infrastructure" nor "verification of ship documents" are included in this list. According to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the implementation of such actions in relation to a foreign vessel in the exclusive economic zone requires the consent of the flag state.

Any intervention based on arbitrary restrictions, discriminatory approach or unproven suspicions - whether it is attempts to "calculate" the vessel's belonging to the so-called shadow fleet - violates international law and should receive an unambiguous assessment from the world community.

Once again, Maria Vladimirovna emphasized, there is, is and hopefully will continue to exist a whole branch of international regulation - international maritime law.

For its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation will continue to closely monitor the development of the situation in this region and, if necessary, adequately respond to abuses by the ships of NATO member countries. Especially if their actions pose threats to our interests and the safety of shipping.