About: Baltic States
Baltics step closer to plugging into EU power grid, ending dependence on Russia
Three EU Baltic states on Thursday (13 May) took a big step toward accessing the bloc's power grid, a move intended to end energy dependence on Russia dating back to the Soviet era.
Baltic states expel Russian diplomats in solidarity with Prague
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will expel several Russian diplomats and embassy employees in solidarity with Prague, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis announced during a joint press conference on Friday (23 April). EURACTIV’s media partner LRT.lt reports.
US to help secure Baltic energy grid against cyber-attacks
The United States and Baltic states on Sunday (6 October) agreed to beef up cooperation to protect the Baltic energy grid from cyber-attacks as they disconnect from the Russian electricity grid.
EU divisions over Russia mount as France, Germany seek peace in Ukraine
French and German attempts to end the conflict in east Ukraine risk increasing tensions that were already rising in the European Union over how to handle Russia and which could complicate peace efforts.
Estonians pay homage to victims of Soviet deportations
Thousands of Estonians lit candles across the Baltic state on Monday (25 March) in memory of the victims of Soviet mass deportations launched 70 years ago that saw tens of thousands sent to labour camps in Siberia, where many of them died.
Juncker: We are not ‘under the rule’ of English
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker made a point of delivering his plenary speech at the Three Seas Initiative forum in Bucharest in French, bucking the trend of other world leaders attending the event on Tuesday (September 18).
Belgium and Germany take over Baltic Air Policing
From September, German and Belgian military aircraft will take over responsibility for patrolling Baltic skies as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, at a time of growing concerns over security in Eastern Europe.
The untapped potential of EU-NATO cooperation
EU-NATO cooperation is a good framework for bringing Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and others, closer to the Alliance, and improving their security, writes Andreas Marazis.
As expected, Vestager lets Gazprom off the hook
The EU's antitrust regulators have ended their investigation into Gazprom without imposing any fines, the Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager announced on Thursday (24 May). The Russian gas giant welcomed the EU's decision and promised to reform.
Baltic states to ask Trump for greater protection from Russia
Baltic state leaders will ask the United States to send more troops and bolster air defences on NATO’s eastern flank to deter Russia when they meet President Donald Trump on Tuesday (3 April), officials said. Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, Estonian...
Internal NATO report reveals weaknesses in defence
A classified NATO report reveals huge problems with logistics and troop deployment that could threaten the alliance's defence capability. NATO has been quite late in adopting a change of course. EURACTIV Germany’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
US deploys advanced anti-aircraft missiles in Baltics for first time
The United States deployed a battery of Patriot long-range anti-aircraft missiles in Lithuania to be used in NATO wargames from Tuesday (11 July) – the first time the advanced defence system has been brought to the Baltics where Russia has air superiority.
NATO war game defends Baltic weak spot for first time
US and British troops have carried out the first large-scale NATO defensive drill on the border between Poland and Lithuania, rehearsing for a possible scenario in which Russia might try to sever the Baltic states from the rest of the Western alliance.
EU to work with Baltic states on decoupling from Russian power grid
The European Commission will work with the three Baltic states to link their electricity grids to the EU through Poland by 2025 and achieve energy independence from Russia, its energy commissioner said yesterday (1 June).
Consequences of Gazprom’s commitments on Central and Eastern European gas markets
Brussels must look deeper into whether its current regulatory system can provide energy security and fair competition across European gas markets, writes Chi-Kong Chyong.
US Defence Secretary criticises Russian build-up near Baltic states
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said yesterday (10 May) that a Russian missile deployment near the Baltic states was "destabilising", and officials suggested the United States could deploy a Patriot missile battery in the region for NATO exercises in the summer.
New US-led force to deter Russia in Poland from April
A US-led battalion of more than 1,100 soldiers will be deployed in Poland from the start of April, a US commander said on Monday, as the alliance sets up a new force in response to Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Vice-versa: European defence and German interests
Germany and the EU: How do they cooperate? Where do their approaches conflict and where are their interests aligned? EURACTIV Germany’s Vice-Versa series takes a look at the issue from both a European and federal government perspective.
Baltic PMs sign deal to build high-speed rail link
Baltic state leaders inked a deal on Tuesday (31 January) to build a high-speed rail link to Berlin and Western Europe that has taken on added significance due to concerns over a resurgent Russia.
EU backs minimalist defence plan in effort not to undermine NATO
EU ministers approved a common defence plan yesterday (14 November) despite sharp differences over how far it should go, as Donald Trump's election win stoked fears about Washington's commitment to European security.
Global flashpoints react to Trump victory
The world's current international hotspots - Iran, the Baltics, NATO and North Korea - reacted with deliberate caution on Wednesday (9 November) to Donald Trump's establishment-defying victory in the US presidential election.
EU to vet member states’ gas deals with Russia
The European Council decided on Monday (6 June) that gas-related intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) between member states and third countries would be vetted by the Commission before they are signed. For non-gas related IGAs, a lighter procedure will apply.
Sweden to vote on closer NATO ties
Swedish lawmakers are set to vote on 25 May on a Host Nation Agreement with NATO that would represent a step toward further cooperation with the alliance for a nation that has resisted alignment with multilateral military bodies for over 200 years, write Olof Kronvall and Colin Cleary.