Germany calls undersea cable cut a ‘wake-up call’

Germany has labeled the suspected sabotage of an undersea power cable between Finland and Estonia a “wake-up call,” urging the European Union to impose new sanctions on Russia’s “shadow fleet.” The Estlink 2 cable, which carries electricity from Finland to Estonia, was severed this week, following a similar incident in Swedish waters last month involving telecommunications cables. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed concern over frequent damage to undersea cables in the Baltic, attributing it to Russian actions. She called for stricter EU sanctions on Russian vessels that bypass oil sanctions, contributing to Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. Finnish authorities are investigating a Russian oil tanker in connection with the sabotage, and NATO plans to increase its presence in the region.