politics
February 17, 2026
NATO plotting maritime blockade of Russia
NATO countries are setting a stage for a maritime blockade of Russia by ramping up military drills, Moscow’s envoy to Norway has said
TL;DR
- Moscow's ambassador to Norway, Nikolay Korchunov, alleges NATO countries are plotting an illegal maritime blockade of Russia.
- Korchunov claims NATO exercises in the Baltic and Arctic regions are aimed at restricting freedom of navigation and violate international law.
- He stated that NATO is developing plans for a partial or complete naval blockade of Russia.
- NATO members like Norway, Sweden, and Finland are increasing military mobility by developing transport and logistics corridors and cross-border military infrastructure use.
- These actions are perceived by Moscow as a direct threat to national security, prompting the need for countermeasures.
- Recent reports indicate discussions among NATO members, including the UK Defense Secretary, about seizing Russia-linked oil tankers.
- Moscow has condemned previous seizures of Russian cargo vessels as "piracy" and violations of international maritime law.
- A Russian presidential aide previously warned that NATO seeks to undermine Russia's economy through potential blockades and paralyzing Russian ports.
- The alliance is also accused of seeking to turn the Black and Baltic Seas into "internal waters of the alliance."