Estonia: Foreign Minister pans President on helping Hungary

Estonia’s Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, criticised President Alar Karis who suggested helping Hungary pay fines for cancelling oil contracts with Russia, ERR reported. Speaking in an interview with Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat, Karis urged Hungary to end the contracts. Tsahkna insisted that it would be “inconceivable” for states that had freed themselves of dependence on Russian…

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Lithuania: Cultural sector readying for nationwide protests

Cultural activists in Lithuania are preparing for a nationwide “warning strike” on 5 October 2025 to protest against control of the Ministry of Culture by the far-right populist party, Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA), LRT reports. Earlier, protests across the country contributed to the hasty resignation of PPNA’s newly-appointed Culture Minister, Ignotas Adomavicius. Cultural leaders fear…

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Estonia: Hungary siding with Russia in Ukraine war: Foreign Minister

Hungary is siding with Russia in the war against Ukraine, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna suggested, ERR reports. Speaking on ETV, Tsahkna said that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had begun “fighting for the opposing team.” The Hungarian position was “far removed” from what the EU had agreed upon, Tsahkna stated. He said that Estonia…

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Lithuania: President doubts call for EU sanctions on Israel

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed “serious doubts” about a proposal from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to sanction some Israeli ministers, BNS reports. Earlier, Borrell called for sanctions against Israeli ministers for statements that he said amounted to inciting war crimes. Nauseda pointed out that EU member states had very differing, sometimes diametrically opposing…

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Latvia: President Rinkevics urges increased defence spending in EU

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics called for increased EU defence spending, exempting it from fiscal rules, Kathimerini reports. He emphasised the need for the EU to be more self-reliant in defence and for more coordination in defence matters. During his visit to Athens, Rinkevics discussed with Greek officials boosting economic ties, securing more funding for external…

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Estonia: Mistral anti-aircraft missile systems sent to Ukraine

Estonia has sent Mistral anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, Fakti reports. The French-made short-range missiles can be used against low-flying aircraft and helicopters. The missiles can be fired by individual servicemen or mounted on vehicles, ships, or helicopters. In June 2024, Estonia signed a joint contract with France, Cyprus, and Hungary to replenish its stocks…

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Baltic: Leaders condemn Hungarian PM Orban’s visit to Russia

The leaders of the Baltic States condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin, GNA reports. Outgoing Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who has been nominated as the EU’s new foreign policy chief, said that Orban was “exploiting the EU presidency position to sow confusion.” Lithuanian President Gitanas…

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