Russia sees London’s plans for Northern fleet as attempt to counter it in Baltic — embassy

Lead

The head of the Royal Navy has announced that Britain has agreed to create a unified naval force with nine European countries to deter future Russian threats. Russia's embassy in London, however, has said it regards the initiative as an attempt to counter Moscow in the Baltic region.

The British announcement was made by Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the First Sea Lord, who said that despite ongoing crises elsewhere, "Russia remains the gravest threat to our security." The Russian Embassy, in a statement received by TASS, said it views the UK's plan to establish a joint Northern European navy as "an effort to collectively oppose Russia, primarily in the Baltic."

Coverage Comparison

The two reports present distinctly different perspectives on the same development. The Guardian reports the UK's announcement as a defensive measure, quoting British naval officials on the need to deter Russian threats and noting a rise in Russian incursions into British waters. TASS, on the other hand, frames the initiative as a provocation, carrying the Russian Embassy's criticism that London is "assembling yet another military coalition" and warning of potential tensions.

While the British report emphasizes the need for a unified naval force to address perceived threats, the Russian statement questions the UK's motives and capabilities, suggesting the initiative is an attempt to "fuel Russophobic hysteria" in Europe.

The two sources also differ in the factual details they emphasize. The Guardian provides specifics about the force's composition, including the countries involved, while TASS focuses on the diplomatic reaction and the state of the UK Navy.

Key Claims

The Guardian reports that the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) includes the Netherlands, all five Nordic states, and the three Baltic states, with the UK as its largest military member. Canada is considering joining, according to the same source.

The Guardian also states that Russian spy submarines have been tracked engaging in what appeared to be covert surveillance of undersea infrastructure around Britain, and quotes the British naval chief as saying Russian incursions into UK waters had jumped by almost a third in two years. The chief is also quoted as considering that the UK has an "open sea border with Russia to the north."

The Russian Embassy, as reported by TASS, claims that the UK Navy is "not in the best condition" and that the plan is intended to "fuel Russophobic hysteria in Europe." The embassy also says it believes the format could be used to blockade the Baltic Sea, but it dismissed the feasibility of such an effort, saying the UK and its allies "lack the resources" for such ambitious plans.

The aim of the new maritime force, according to the Guardian, would be to train and prepare together, and be "designed to fight immediately if required," with real capabilities, as reported by the same source. The Guardian also reports that the force would not include the US, whose president has criticized the UK's stance on the Hormuz strait.

Perspectives

UK Government Perspective

The UK, as represented by the First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, views the new naval force as a necessary defensive measure to deter Russian threats, citing increased Russian incursions and the "gravest threat" to UK security.

Russian Embassy Perspective

The Russian Embassy in London sees the plan as an attempt to counter Russia in the Baltic, accusing the UK of building coalitions for collective opposition and warning that the initiative will increase tensions, possibly leading to a blockade of the Baltic Sea.