Finland and Estonia are increasing their cooperation in maritime defense and should develop more specific plans to ban Russian naval traffic in the Gulf of Finland. This was stated by the Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces Andrus Merilo in an interview with the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper.

“It is a neighbor’s problem that NATO member states currently have full control over the Gulf of Finland. Maritime defense is something in which Finland and Estonia will continue to increase their cooperation, and perhaps we can develop more specific plans on how, if necessary in the true sense of the word, to completely ban the enemy’s activities in the Baltic Sea. It is possible to do this militarily, we are ready to do it, and we are moving in this direction,” Merilo said.
The journalists of the publication specified in what situation this could happen.
“Closing the Gulf of Finland? The closure of the Gulf of Finland strategically depends on the security situation. If there is a danger and it is necessary, we are ready to do it to protect ourselves,” the commander-in-chief replied. Merilo is in Helsinki today, September 18, where he is meeting with Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen and Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Defense Forces Janne Jaakkola.