The Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional law, the Venice Commission, is warning Lithuania against legislation that could appear to target the current top management of the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reports. The commission recommended that planned new rules on dismissing LRT’s director general only apply to office…
Lithuania’s Finance Minister, Kristupas Vaitiekunas, urged the EU to pursue negotiations and prepare retaliatory measures after US President Donald Trump again threatened to raise tariffs, BNS reports. He predicted that the EU would be “in this game” through Trump’s entire term in office. “This process involving tariffs, negotiations, and pressure from both sides will be…
The mayor of the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, Valdas Benkunskas, has launched a signature campaign for legislation that would oblige foreigners living temporarily in the country to learn Lithuanian, BNS reports. Under the mayor’s proposal, non-EU nationals would have to show proof of at least A2-level proficiency in Lithuanian when renewing their temporary residence permits after…
Estonia ranked highest in the Baltic States on the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index in 2026, BNS reported. Estonia ranked 3rd on the global index of 180 countries and territories surveyed, which was down from 2nd place in 2025. Meanwhile, Lithuania ranked 15th (14th), and Latvia stood in 17th (15th) place. Estonia…
The US has warned European allies, including Estonia and Lithuania, of long delays in the delivery of US weapons due to the Iran war, the Financial Times reports. Reuters reported on the delays earlier. The US Department of Defence told to expect serious delays for several missile systems, including HIMARS and NASAMS used by Estonia…
Estonia’s GDP rose by 1.3% in the first quarter of 2026, compared to the same period of 2025, according to Statistics Estonia’s flash estimate, BNS reported. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, seasonally and working-day adjusted GDP rose by 0.6%. Robert Müürsepp, national accounts service manager at Statistics Estonia, noted that there were several…
Over 10,000 people in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, protested outside the parliament, the Seimas, on 8 April 2026 against proposed changes to legislation governing the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reported. The demonstration was organised by the Association of Professional Journalists (ZPA). Nevertheless, Seimas speaker Juozas Olekas insisted that the…
The Lithuanian government has approved the opening of a defence attache post at the country’s embassy in Israel, BNS reports. The post is expected to be established in July 2026. The Defence Ministry said that Lithuania was developing joint procurement projects with Israel to strengthen Lithuania’s military capabilities and defence industry. Also, Lithuania seeks to…
Estonia has recommended that Ukraine redirect its drone attacks against Russia’s Baltic Sea ports farther away from Estonia’s borders, Colonel Ants Kiviselg, commander of the Military Intelligence Centre of the Estonian Defence Forces, said, ERR reports. Lithuania’s Deputy Defence Minister, Tomas Godliauskas, insisted that Ukraine warn the Baltic States if their drones veer off course,…
