Lithuanian parliament backs denunciation of anti-personnel mine ban convention
The denunciation of the convention will take effect six months after the decision is made.
Baltics
Russian Baltic Sea provocations 'increasing threat of accidental military incidents,' Latvian intelligence says
The annual report said Russia is using aggressive tactics, such as unauthorized airspace incursions and close encounters with NATO ships and aircraft.
Lithuania to mine border with Russia, Belarus in new $1.2 billion defense plan
About 800 million euros ($905 million) will be allocated for the acquisition and installation of anti-tank mines to deter potential aggression.
Trump won't abandon Ukraine peace process, Estonian president says
In a conversation following Pope Francis's funeral, Trump promised to "do everything" to maintain peace negotiations, Estonian President Alar Karis said.
Duda dismisses threats against Poland, Baltics as Russian disinformation
"Russia, which is behaving aggressively towards NATO and implementing its brutal and bloodthirsty imperialism, has been attacking Ukraine for three years," Polish President Andrzej Duda said.
'First to suffer' — Russia singles out Poland, Baltics in threat to NATO
These countries have shown "high aggressiveness" towards Russia and are "constantly rattling their weapons," Russia's Foreign Intelligence Director Sergey Naryshkin said on April 15.
Updated: 6 countries ready to send troops for Ukraine 'reassurance force' so far, AFP reports
The U.K., France, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and another unnamed country stand ready to send their soldiers, while other leaders want to see a more detailed plan before making commitments, AFP reported.
Estonia passes law targeting Moscow-linked church ties
The legislation aims to prevent foreign influence in Estonia’s religious sphere if it threatens national security, constitutional order, or public order, or if it promotes military aggression or incites war, according to the parliament’s press service.
EU declines funding for Lithuania-Estonia 'drone wall' project
The application was submitted earlier this year but did not receive approval, Lithuanian officials said.
Lithuanian border guards deploy helicopter to monitor Russian transit trains
Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic said the move aims to tighten supervision over trains traveling to and from Kaliningrad, a Russian military stronghold bordering Lithuania and Poland.
Lithuanian FM on Europe's role in ending Russia's war
The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell sat down with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys during his visit to Kyiv on April 1 to discuss the future of Europe during U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, whether European sanctions remain an effective instrument to stop Russia’s war against Ukraine, and Lithuania's contribution to the "coalition of the willing."
Unless you act, 'it's just rhetoric' — Baltic states skeptical of Western European leadership
As the U.S. chooses an increasingly hostile posture toward Europe, the U.K. and France have been gearing up to lead the continent's defense without Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron has coined the term "strategic autonomy," which envisions a self-sufficient Europe that can defend itself and export its agenda
Ukraine ceasefire could raise security risks for Baltic states, Estonian defense minister says
"We all understand that when the war in Ukraine will be stopped, Russia will redistribute its forces very quickly. That means also the threat level will increase significantly very quickly," said Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.
Estonia bans non-EU citizens from local election voting, mostly Russians and Belarusians affected
"The decisions in our local life won't be made by the citizens of the aggressor states, but we'll decide by ourselves," Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said after the March 26 vote.
‘Talk about an invasion is everywhere’ — How Lithuania is preparing for war with Russia
Throughout Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, repeated and escalating warnings of the potential for a wider war have only raised fears in the Baltic states that they could be next in the crosshairs of the Kremlin. Talk about a potential Russian invasion is "very common at parties, gatherings, lunch breaks,
Lithuania suspects Russia behind arson attacks in Vilnius and Warsaw last year
The Lithuanian prosecutor’s office alleges that Russia's military intelligence formed a special group to carry out arson attacks across Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia.
Putin aide claims NATO 'threatens' Russia in Baltic
Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev accused the alliance, particularly the U.K., of provoking instability in the region.
Lithuania exits Convention on Cluster Munitions
The Lithuanian parliament voted to exit the treaty last July, leading to Vilnius submitting documents for withdrawal in the autumn of that year. The six-month deadline for leaving the convention expired on March 6.
Lithuania invests $21 million in Ukraine's arms industry, agrees to joint production
Lithuania has already invested 20 million euros ($21 million) in purchasing weapons for Kyiv from Ukrainian producers and will produce arms in cooperation with Ukraine, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said on March 1.
'Crazy' Putin could attack NATO in 2026, Russia building up troops in Belarus, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia plans to deploy 15 divisions, totaling 100,000 to 150,000 troops, primarily in Belarus.
Lithuania to allocate $32 million for education of Ukrainian refugees
Lithuania will allocate nearly 32 million euros ($32.9 million) in 2025 to support the education of Ukrainians who have relocated to the country due to the war, Lithuanian broadcaster LRT announced on Feb. 9.
EU should consider 'full trade embargo' on Russia, Estonian president says
The EU "should boost independence even further and end all Russian energy imports," Karis said on Feb. 9. "We should even seriously consider a full trade embargo on Russia."
Baltic countries disconnected from Russia's power grid
"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!"
Baltic states to cut energy ties with Russia, join European power grid, AFP reports
Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia will disconnect from Russia’s power grid this weekend and synchronize with the Western European network.
Lithuania, Estonia pledge 5% defense spending, following Trump's call, FT reports
Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys reportedly described the shift as part of a "new era. " Vilnius committed to spending between 5% and 6% of its GDP on defense annually until at least 2030. Estonia followed suit, pledging to raise defense spending from 3.7% of GDP to 5%.
Fiber-optic cable between Latvia and Sweden significantly damaged in Baltic Sea, investigation underway
An underwater fiber optic cable belonging to the Latvian State Radio and Television Broadcasting Center (LVRTC) was significantly damaged on Jan. 26, reportedly due to external impact, according to LVRTC representative Vineta Sprugaine.
Lithuania would consider troop deployment to Ukraine upon Kyiv’s request, FM Budrys says
"We’d talk with our allies and partners about what it looks like, and we’d talk with Ukraine about what it looks like," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said.
EU's Nordic, Baltic members reportedly urge lowering of Russian oil price cap
The countries argue that a lower cap would further restrict Russia's ability to finance its war against Ukraine while avoiding significant disruptions to global oil markets.
Lithuania to deliver 4,500 drones to Ukraine this week
Sakaliene's statement came shortly after the Lithuanian broadcaster LRT reported that thousands of drones, which were to be delivered to Ukraine several months ago, are still in Lithuanian warehouses as their delivery is delayed by bureaucratic obstacles.
Sweden to increase military presence in Baltic Sea following suspected cable sabotage
Sweden will increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea through the deployment of three warships and a radar reconnaissance aircraft in response to the suspected sabotage of several underwater cables, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Jan. 12.
Nordic, Baltic countries voice concerns about elections in Georgia, call for investigations
The Nordic Baltic Eight countries have urged Georgia to hold new elections following disputed parliamentary elections in October and the inauguration of the new president, according to their statement published on Dec. 29.
NATO to 'enhance military presence' in Baltic Sea following damage to undersea power cable, Rutte says
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Dec. 27 that "NATO will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea" following the recent damage to the Estlink 2 power cable in the Gulf of Finland likely caused by Russia.
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