Germany's Defense Minister Says Damage To 2 Baltic Data Cables Assumed To Be Sabotage

Germany's defense minister said Tuesday officials have to assume damage to two data cables under Baltic Sea, one of which ends in Germany, was caused by sabotage — though he said y have no proof at present.

Damage was detected Monday to C-Lion1 cable that runs nearly 1.200 kilometers (750 miles) from Finnish capital, Helsinki, to German port city of Rostock.

Anor cable between Lithuania and Sweden was also damaged.

Speaking in Brussels, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that Russia poses not just a military but also a hybrid threat, and that Europe needs to take a bro approach to defence.

“We have to conclude, without knowing exactly who did it, that it was a hybrid action. And we also have to assume, without knowing it, of course, that it is sabotage," Boris Pistorius told reporters.

foreign ministries of Finland and Germany h alrey said Monday evening that damage raised suspicion of sabotage.

statement said countries were investigating incident, and that it was crucial that such “critical infrastructure” be safeguarded.

When asked about German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's phone call with Russian President Vlimir Putin on Friday, which was heavily criticized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Pistorius said conversation "gave proof... Putin is not willing to negotiate about anything".

“Everybody in Germany or in or countries in Europe should realise finally now that this is not point for talking about peace because everybody wants peace of course but Putin does not want it.”