SAMARKAND, November 3. /TASS/. NATO representatives are aware that closing the Baltic Sea for Russia would mean its closure for everyone, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told reporters on the sidelines of the Verona Eurasian Economic Forum.

"First of all, it (the Baltic Sea - TASS) will never turn into NATO's internal sea. Such phrases are used by lightweight politicians. I think that those who make decisions in NATO, as well as military strategists, understand very well that closing the Baltic Sea for Russia means closing the Baltic Sea for everyone," he said.

"These dreams are absolutely groundless," the senior Russian diplomat pointed out. "And whoever tries to turn these dreams into some practical actions should be aware of all the negative consequences," Grushko said.

Earlier, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said that NATO should close the Baltic Sea if it is proven that the Balticconnector gas pipeline has been damaged by Russia. He added that it is necessary to wait for the results of the investigation before taking such a step. According to the Latvian head of state, although NATO member states have not yet discussed such measures, NATO allies have agreed to conduct patrols in the Baltic Sea.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Rinkevics' idea of closing the Baltic Sea to Russia by urging him to think about what to do with the sea after the perpetrators of the Nord Stream explosions are found.