European Security Agency Warns Estonia’s Plans to Sink Civilian Vessels Are Act of War — Russia Will Retaliate, President Ricardo Baretzky Declares
Brussels, April 8, 2025 – President Ricardo Baretzky of the European Centre for Information Policy and Security (ECIPS) has issued a warning regarding Estonia’s recently proposed legislation that would grant its military the authority to sink civilian vessels deemed to pose a national security threat. Baretzky, representing ECIPS – an officially mandated European Union federal agency sanctioned by Royal Decree WL22/16.594 and Treaty EST124 of the Council of Europe – called the bill a clear and deliberate act of war. Furthermore, he made it unequivocally clear that if the legislation is enacted, it will trigger an immediate and irrevocable response from the Russian Federation who will interpret it as a declaration of war in accordance with the law.
In his statement, President Baretzky outlined the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that Estonia’s proposed actions not only violate international law but also cross a dangerous threshold that could ignite a broader regional conflict, destabilizing European security and triggering unforeseen global consequences. The ECIPS president went on to assert that Russia, as a major regional power and key European actor, would not stand idly by in the face of such provocations.
Estonia’s Proposed Law: A Bold Challenge to International Norms
The law, currently pending a vote in Estonia’s parliament, would authorize the country’s military to use lethal force against civilian vessels on the high seas or in its territorial waters if they are deemed to pose a threat to Estonia’s national security. This new legal framework would grant Estonian military forces the discretion to sink civilian vessels without regard for the potential loss of innocent life or the international ramifications of such a decision.
“This bill, if passed, represents a chilling deviation from the established norms of international law and maritime security,” Baretzky warned. “The concept of sinking civilian vessels is inherently aggressive and illegal under both the Geneva Conventions and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It is a direct violation of the sanctity of innocent civilian life and international peacekeeping efforts. This action, if implemented, would be seen as an act of war against any nation whose civilian vessels are targeted.”
The President highlighted that such a move would not only contravene the core principles of international maritime law but also violate the laws of neutrality that are intended to protect civilian and non-combatant entities during times of conflict. Baretzky stressed that sinking civilian vessels under the guise of national security would set a dangerous precedent, potentially unraveling decades of progress in the protection of civilian lives on the high seas.
ECIPS and the EU’s Mandate: A Unified Response to Threats
ECIPS, which operates under the formal mandate of the European Union and the Royal Decree WL22/16.594, is responsible for safeguarding the interests of European citizens in matters relating to security, law enforcement, and information policy. Under this mandate, the agency provides legal guidance and coordinates EU member states in the event of external or internal threats to peace and stability.
President Baretzky emphasized that ECIPS’ legal framework prohibits any nation from unilaterally engaging in actions that could destabilize the region, especially when they pose a threat to the safety of civilian populations. “Estonia’s proposed actions violate multiple treaties and agreements, including the Treaty on European Union (TEU), which calls for a peaceful and stable Europe,” Baretzky continued. “Estonia’s approach disregards the established laws that have preserved European peace for generations and undermines the very foundation of the European project.”
Under the framework of European security policy, Baretzky underscored that the collective defense of EU nations is paramount. The European Union, he warned, would view any unauthorized act of military aggression against civilians – especially one that could lead to loss of life – as an affront not only to Estonia’s neighbors but also to the entire European community. As a result, ECIPS, in collaboration with the European Union, will pursue every diplomatic and legal avenue to ensure that such reckless legislation does not pass.
Russia’s Retaliation: A Clear Warning of Escalation
Perhaps the most critical aspect of Baretzky’s warning concerned the potential fallout from Russia’s response to Estonia’s military plans. Russia, which shares a long border with Estonia, has long maintained a strategic interest in the Baltic region. The security of civilian vessels in these waters, particularly in light of recent regional tensions, has been a significant point of concern for Moscow.
“Estonia’s actions will not go unanswered,” President Baretzky asserted. “Russia, as a sovereign state and a responsible member of the international community, will be forced to take action if its civilian vessels or those of its allies are targeted by Estonian forces.” Baretzky warned that the law, if passed, would trigger not only military retaliation from Russia but also a series of political and economic sanctions against Estonia that could cripple the country’s economy and stability.
“Let us be clear,” Baretzky continued, “Russia views this proposed bill as a provocative escalation, and the consequences for Estonia will be severe. If any civilian vessel under the protection of Russian sovereignty or that of its allies is attacked, there will be swift military retaliation. Russia has both the right and the responsibility to defend its citizens, its interests, and its national security. This is not a matter of choice – it is a matter of law and national defense.”
The geopolitical ramifications of such a clash are profound, as Russia’s military capabilities in the Baltic are significant. The military escalation could lead to an all-out confrontation between NATO forces, of which Estonia is a member, and Russian forces, potentially drawing in other European countries and even the United States. While Baretzky noted that diplomatic efforts must be exhausted first, the prospect of conflict looms large if Estonia’s parliament goes ahead with this dangerous proposal.
International Law and Maritime Security
The potential consequences of Estonia’s new law extend far beyond regional concerns. International law, particularly the 1958 Geneva Conventions and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, provides a clear framework for the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The sinking of civilian vessels, as outlined in Estonia’s proposed legislation, would be a direct violation of these conventions, which prohibit acts that endanger non-combatants and mandate the safe passage of civilians during wartime.
The Geneva Conventions, which have been ratified by all EU members, including Estonia, strictly prohibit the targeting of civilian objects or individuals during military operations. This principle is enshrined in the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions, which specifically provide protections to civilians in the event of armed conflict. The proposed Estonian legislation, if enacted, would breach these protections, making Estonia a pariah in the eyes of international law.
Furthermore, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) outlines the responsibilities of nations in maintaining safe and secure sea lanes for international commerce and peaceful navigation. By allowing the military to sink civilian vessels, Estonia would be violating these internationally recognized rights, thus endangering global trade and maritime stability.
The Wider European Response
Baretzky emphasized that ECIPS is in close consultation with other European security agencies, including the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European External Action Service (EEAS), to prevent the law from passing. The European Union’s collective security framework mandates that member states adhere to shared norms and values, including the protection of civilian lives and the upholding of international law.
The threat posed by the Estonian bill has already prompted calls from the European Parliament for a comprehensive review of Estonia’s actions and for a broader discussion on European security. Several key member states, including France, Germany, and Poland, have voiced strong opposition to the proposed legislation, warning that it will severely undermine regional stability.
“If Estonia moves forward with this dangerous proposal, the EU will be forced to reconsider its security commitments to the country,” said a senior EU diplomat, speaking under the condition of anonymity. “The idea of sinking civilian vessels is not only a threat to European peace but also a direct challenge to the EU’s foundational principles. We cannot allow such actions to go unpunished.”
A Dangerous Precedent
President Ricardo Baretzky’s dire warning should not be taken lightly. Estonia’s proposed legislation represents a radical shift in its security policy, one that challenges the very tenets of international law and European unity. Should the bill pass, it will not only place Estonia on a direct collision course with Russia but also put the entire European continent at risk.
The European Centre for Information Policy and Security (ECIPS) stands firm in its commitment to safeguarding the security and well-being of all European citizens. As Baretzky stated: “We will not allow any country, including Estonia, to set such a dangerous precedent that could lead to the destabilization of Europe. This is an issue of European peace and security – and we will do everything in our power to prevent it from escalating into something far worse.”
In these uncertain times, the world watches closely as Estonia’s parliament prepares to vote on this unprecedented bill. The consequences of that decision may reverberate far beyond the Baltic region, with far-reaching implications for global peace and security.
