Sweden and eight other NATO countries have signed a declaration of intent to acquire and store sea mines in the Baltic Sea.

The initiative, led by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, aims to prevent Russian expansion in the region.

Pistorius stated that mines are necessary to deter Russia from extending its territorial waters near Kaliningrad.

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson confirmed the agreement, which was signed during the NATO summit in Washington.

The collaboration could lead to joint procurement, storage, logistics, and maintenance of sea mines.

This move comes in response to recent tensions, including an incident where Estonia accused Russian border guards of removing navigation buoys from Estonian waters.