Estonia Links Damaged Baltic Cable and Pipeline; China Denies Involvement and Calls for Fair Investigation
Investigation focused on the Chinese NewNew Polar Bear container vessel; Russia denies accusations while Estonia seeks cooperation from China and international community.
- Estonia believes damage to a communications cable in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Estonia is related to the damage to a gas pipeline and telecoms cable between Estonia and Finland. This assessment was shared by the Swedish government, based on a statement.
- Finland's investigation at present is focused on the Chinese NewNew Polar Bear container vessel due to its location during the incident.
- Russia has denied any involvement in the incident, deeming any threats made against them as 'unacceptable'. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reaffirmed Russia's denial and refuted accusations implicitly.
- Estonia reached out to China to foster cooperation in the investigation into the cause of how the Baltic Sea telecom cables were severed according to a ministry spokesperson.
- China has called for an 'objective, fair, and professional' investigation into the incident, maintaining that the Chinese NewNew Polar Bear container vessel was sailing normally at the time of the incident.
Reuters 
CNA 
