Baltic states: Latest news, analysis, video interviews, video reports

In the Trump era, the Baltic States must rethink their security
In the Trump era, the Baltic States must rethink their security

While some argue that the Baltic States have been abandoned by a major strategic partner, others insist on the need for Europe to become more militarily independent.

The Apocalypse didn’t happen: the Baltic states disconnected from Russia’s power grid
The Apocalypse didn’t happen: the Baltic states disconnected from Russia’s power grid

On February 8, the Baltic states completely disconnected their power grids from Russia’s and switched to the European grid. Contrary to concerns, this transition did not cause any major complications.

"Never stop panicking!": New US policy worries Russia's neighbors

The Trump administration's signals about a US policy toward Moscow, Ukraine, and the EU are causing concern in Russia's neighborhood, from the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea.

Veridica
24 Feb 2025
Experts: Latvia’s defense must be ready for anything
Experts: Latvia’s defense must be ready for anything

Latvia must be prepared for everything in its defense: in the short term for versatile hybrid attacks, and in the long term even for a broader and more direct attack.

FAKE NEWS: Baltic States have lost their independence
FAKE NEWS: Baltic States have lost their independence

Baltic States have become colonies of the USA, acting only on Washington’s orders, according to Russian propaganda in Romania.

Cezar Manu
03 Feb 2025
NATO’s enlargement increased security in the Baltic region, but more needs to be done
NATO’s enlargement increased security in the Baltic region, but more needs to be done

New NATO members Finland and Sweden are increasingly involved in the security of the Baltic region, which has seen a number of aggressive Russian moves including sabotages of undersea infrastructure. However, the potential for cooperation with the Baltic countries has merely been tapped.

How the EU and Russia's neighbors see Trump's return to the White House
How the EU and Russia's neighbors see Trump's return to the White House

Donald Trump's return to the White House has generated fears about his approach to Russia and the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the economic relationship with the European Union. Veridica’s team of contributors has analyzed how Trump’s return to power is seen in Brussels and in Russia's neighboring countries - some of them ex-Soviet or ex-communist states, most of them members of the EU or NATO or with Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Veridica
20 Jan 2025
Letting Russia get a part of Ukraine would endanger the whole region
Letting Russia get a part of Ukraine would endanger the whole region

As talks about peace in Ukraine along the current frontline intensify, some of Kyiv’s partners, including Latvia, feel this would be a dangerous outcome.

An ongoing challenge: connecting the Baltic countries to the EU
An ongoing challenge: connecting the Baltic countries to the EU

After two decades in the EU and NATO, the Baltic States din not yet fully connect their infrastructure with that of their partners. The railway infrastructure is particularly problematic.

FAKE NEWS: EU citizen sentenced to prison for flying the Russian flag
FAKE NEWS: EU citizen sentenced to prison for flying the Russian flag

A Latvian activist has been sentenced to prison for flying the Russian flag, according to a false narrative promoted by pro-Kremlin propaganda.

Marin Gherman
13 Jul 2024
Latvia is painfully lagging economically behind its neighbors in the Baltics
Latvia is painfully lagging economically behind its neighbors in the Baltics

The Baltic states have similar backgrounds and are mostly supportive to each other. There is, however, a friendly competition in terms of the speed of their development, and Latvia lags behind.

Latvia’s tough stance towards Russia is undermined by business connections
Latvia’s tough stance towards Russia is undermined by business connections

From hardliner Dmitri Medvedev’s wine to raw materials for the arms industry, Russian imports are transiting Latvia in spite of the latter’s hawkish stance towards Moscow.

Estonia: a political drive against Russian speakers and Moscow’s Patriarchy
Estonia: a political drive against Russian speakers and Moscow’s Patriarchy

Political parties in Estonia are trying to deprive Russian speakers of the right to vote and to kick out of the country the Russian Orthodox Church, seen as a Kremlin mouthpiece.

The Estonian city where people still believe old Soviet lies
The Estonian city where people still believe old Soviet lies

An exhibition in Narva, dedicated to the Soviet bombing of this Estonian city in 1944 and comparing it to Russian bombardments of Ukraine, has outraged some local residents and politicians. The reactions are at least partly influenced by overexposure to Soviet and Russian propaganda.

The fear of a Russian invasion is taking a psychological toll in Latvia
The fear of a Russian invasion is taking a psychological toll in Latvia

The fear of war with Russia is taking a psychological toll on Latvians. Authorities are trying to reassure them, pointing that Moscow lacks the capacity to wage war against NATO.

As Russia’s hostility towards NATO increases, Moscow wants to arrest Estonia’s leader
As Russia’s hostility towards NATO increases, Moscow wants to arrest Estonia’s leader

Russia is upping the stakes in its long game against NATO, as it put Estonia’s prime minister on a wanted list and unveiled plans to increase the number of troops deployed at the border. Experts think that, within 3 to 10 years after the end of the war in Ukraine, Moscow would be able to attack a NATO country.

Is Russia really going to attack NATO?
Is Russia really going to attack NATO?

Warnings about a possible Russian attack against NATO have increased lately. Is the threat imminent, or is it just being used to increase readiness?

The War in Ukraine looms large over the Paris Olympics as Kiev allies threaten a boycott
The War in Ukraine looms large over the Paris Olympics as Kiev allies threaten a boycott

A number of countries may boycott the coming Paris Olympics over the IOC’s decision to let Russian athletes compete. Latvia is one of those countries, but not all Latvians – athletes and fans alike – would support such of decision.

The war in Ukraine is undermining Baltic parties supported by the Russian minority
The war in Ukraine is undermining Baltic parties supported by the Russian minority

In the Baltic countries, parties traditionally defending the interests of the Russian-speaking minority are suffering losses as the war has alienated some of their voters.

Estonia is preparing to resist attempts at destabilization on its border with Russia
Estonia is preparing to resist attempts at destabilization on its border with Russia

Finland closed its land border with Russia due to a hybrid threat, and Estonia may follow suit, although it has not done so yet.

In the White House race, the Baltics are rooting for Joe Biden
In the White House race, the Baltics are rooting for Joe Biden

There are worries in the Baltic States that a new Donald Trump may mean chaotic US policies. If Joe Biden stays, it would be “business as usual”.

“There is no point in importing someone else’s conflict to us”
“There is no point in importing someone else’s conflict to us”

In Estonia, Hamas’ attack on Israel and the subsequent military operation in Gaza were perceived as a threat to the country’s own security.

Latvians still support Ukraine, but many lost their enthusiasm
Latvians still support Ukraine, but many lost their enthusiasm

The Latvians have been less involved lately in helping Ukrainians, as the war fatigue and domestic economic problems are taking their toll. However, the level of support is still high.

Sanctions targeting Russia are bypassed by EU entities. The Estonian case
Sanctions targeting Russia are bypassed by EU entities. The Estonian case

Estonia has pleaded tough sanctions against Russia, and yet Estonian entities and persons – even from the Prime minister’s family – have been breaking some of the existing sanctions.

INTERVIEW: Russia’s disinformation in its Baltic “sphere of interest”
INTERVIEW: Russia’s disinformation in its Baltic “sphere of interest”

The Baltic States are being targeted by Russian disinformation which is using both narratives launched before the war in Ukraine and newer ones.

Will Estonia take the lead in rare earth metal mining?
Will Estonia take the lead in rare earth metal mining?

Estonia could become a powerhouse in the strategic rare earth metals industry. Environmental concerns, outside competition, and opposition to mining are threatening that potential.

Breaking segregation: Estonia’s controversial education reform
Breaking segregation: Estonia’s controversial education reform

Estonia has one of the world’s best education systems but it’s only for Estonian speakers. There’s a parallel system for Russian speakers, which authorities now want to eliminate.

Latvia is mobilizing: national defense service will be mandatory
Latvia is mobilizing: national defense service will be mandatory

Latvia is making participation in the state defense service (SDS) mandatory, as part of a larger drive to strenghten its security.

Anxiety in the Baltic states about Wagner’s next move
Anxiety in the Baltic states about Wagner’s next move

Latvia’s unfinished border fence came into focus following Wagner’s rebellion in Russia and its alleged move to Belarus. Experts warn that security requires more than a fence.

Estonia tries to legalize same-sex marriages
Estonia tries to legalize same-sex marriages

Estonia is on the verge of becoming the most progressive ex-Soviet state regarding LGBT+ rights. Conservative politicians oppose the move, but the population seems more tolerant than them.

Latvia has a new pro-EU president. Will the country’s ruling coalition survive?
Latvia has a new pro-EU president. Will the country’s ruling coalition survive?

După ce respectatul ministru leton de externe Edgars Rinkēvičs, a fost ales președinte, zilele coaliției pro-europene de guvernare ar putea fi numărate.

Russia’s plans to bring the Baltic countries in its orbit
Russia’s plans to bring the Baltic countries in its orbit

Russia has drawn plans for each Baltic country on how to influence local politics and society. The war in Ukraine seems to have derailed these plans, but that doesn’t mean that Russia’s long-term goals have changed.