Russian Presidential Aide and Chairman of the Maritime Board Nikolai Patrushev claimed that Western countries are conducting a campaign to restrict Russia's access to sea routes.
Patrushev said that "neo-Nazis at the helm of the West are waging war against Russia" and their ultimate goal is to "eliminate" Russia. "They want to cut us off from international sea routes. They plan to close the Baltic Sea and block access in the Black Sea," he said.
The Russian official stated that they are aware of such threats and are countering them, describing claims that Russia is not ready to cooperate with other states as "lies."
Patrushev recalled a proposal he made in 2002, noting that he had called for all countries' intelligence services to unite in combating common threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking, piracy and cybersecurity.
Patrushev said that after this call, an international meeting attended by representatives of 38 countries was held in St. Petersburg. He noted that they proposed holding the meetings alternately in different countries, but no country wanted to host them, although they were happy to come to Russia.