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Welcome to Via Baltica, your “information superhighway” for news from the three Baltic tigers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania! Our founder and editor-in-chief is Kerkko Paananen, senior news analyst with more than two decades of professional expertise in covering and reporting on current affairs in the Baltic States. We aim to do one thing well:…

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Lithuania: Macedonia to open embassy in Vilnius

The government of North Macedonia has decided to open an embassy in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, Media Information Agency reports. The embassy will represent Macedonia’s interests across the three Baltic States. The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision and reaffirmed Lithuania’s support for Macedonia’s EU membership, BNS reported. Lithuania and Macedonia established diplomatic relations in…

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Estonia: Fatherland leads party poll in May 2026

Estonia’s national-conservative opposition party, Fatherland (Isamaa), remained the country’s most popular political party in May 2026, according to a new Norstat poll for the Institute for Societal Research (YI), ERR reported. The survey showed that Fatherland’s support among eligible voters was 26.6%, followed by three other opposition parties: the Estonian Centre Party (Keskerakond) with 21.5%,…

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Lithuania: Air alert in capital, leaders evacuated

The Lithuanian Armed Forces (LGP) issued an air alert in the country’s capital, Vilnius, after a drone was sighted over Vilnius district, LRT reported. LGP activated the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission after radars detected the suspected drone within Belarusian territory. Lithuanian leaders, including President Gitanas Nauseda and Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene, as well as members…

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Baltic: Russia claims Ukraine attacking from Baltics

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed that Ukraine was planning to attack Russia from the territory of the Baltic States, Baltic News Network reported. SVR claimed that Ukrainian soldiers had already been deployed to five military bases in Latvia and threatened Latvia with “just retribution.” Russia’s UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, repeated the claims and threats…

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Latvia: Armed forces plan broad transformation

The Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) plans to carry out a broad transformation, NBS commander Major General Kaspars Pudans announced, LSM reports. The plan includes adding new capabilities and technologies as well as restructuring the overall structure of the armed forces. NATO division deputy commander Brigadier General Ilmars Lejins will lead the transformation. He said…

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