“BALTIC SEA NATIONS WARY OF RUSSIA’S PROPOSED MARITIME BORDER CHANGES”

 Why in the news?

  • Baltic Sea nations expressed concern over reports that Russia plans to revise its territorial waters’ borders, calling it a potential escalation.
  • Russia’s draft proposal aims to update 1985 coordinates, raising uncertainty about whether borders will shift or just be clarified.
Source:WorldAtlas

About Baltic Sea:

  • Location: Part of the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northern Europe.
  • Extent: Extends northward from southern Denmark to near the Arctic Circle, separating the Scandinavian Peninsula from continental Europe.
  • Connection: Links to the Atlantic Ocean via the Danish Straits.
  • Water Type: Largest brackish water body globally, with lower salinity due to freshwater inflow and shallowness.
  • Surrounding Countries: Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden.
  • Depth: Average depth of 55 meters, with the deepest point around 459 meters below sea level.
  • Major Gulfs: Gulf of Bothnia to the north, Gulf of Finland to the east, and Gulf of Riga slightly south.
About North Atlantic Organization NATO:

  • Formation: Established in 1949 with the signing of the Washington Treaty.
  • Headquarters: Located in Brussels, Belgium.
  • Membership: Recently expanded to include Sweden as the 32nd member.
  • Goal: Ensures freedom and security for Allies through political and military cooperation.
  • Collective Defense: Member states commit to mutual defense against external attacks, as per Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.