News Feed

Baltic countries disconnected from Russia's power grid

1 min read
Baltic countries disconnected from Russia's power grid
A photo taken on February 8, 2025, shows the power substation in Rezekne, Latvia, before the disconnection of the major power line between Latvia and Russia. (Photo by Gints Ivuskans / AFP via Getty Images)

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania disconnected their energy systems from Russia's electric power grid on Feb. 8 in "another historic day for European integration," the Estonian Foreign Ministry said.

"This legacy of occupation meant that Moscow - which uses energy as a weapon - had control of the frequency," the ministry said in a statement on X.

"That’s a critical element in maintaining reliable power supply. That dependency ends today!"

The Lithuanian Energy Ministry said in July 2024 that the Baltic countries would fully synchronize with the continental European electricity grid in February 2025.  

Earlier in February, Latvian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas said in an interview that his country is ready for technical difficulties and possible sabotages during the synchronization process.

Ukraine also disconnected itself from the Russian energy grid in February 2022, when Moscow launched its full-scale invasion.

"We stopped buying electricity & gas from Russia right after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine," the Estonian Foreign Ministry said in its Feb. 8 statement.

"By making our whole energy system independent of Russia, the Kremlin loses another lever of power to use against Europe."

Avatar
The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

Read more
News Feed

The agreement comes hours after a meeting between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which the former reminded that Ukraine unlock 37 billion euros ($42 billion) by carrying out previously-agreed reforms.

Lavrov has arrived in New York to take part in the U.N. General Assembly, Russian state media reported. Rubio and Lavrov have met several times over the past year as the Trump administration has sought to broker an end to Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

*Russia imposes restrictions near Estonian border amid mobilization concerns *Ukraine confirms strikes on 2 Russian oil refineries in Ufa, Samara *SBU says it foiled FSB-linked plot to assassinate K-1 kickboxing federation president in Kyiv *Trump says he'll use Graham bill's Russia sanctions 'if necessary' *Ukraine strikes Russian drone storage and launch site in Oryol Oblast, damages 5 launchers

Show More