The Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, will convene for an extraordinary session on 2 September 2026 to elect the country’s next president, ERR reports. The only candidate named so far is former interior minister Mart Helme, who was nominated by the opposition Conservative People’s Party of Estonia (EKRE). Incumbent President Alar Karis has not yet announced…
The prime ministers of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) countries announced that the group would cooperate with Ukraine on military expertise and training, information sharing, and the development of their defence industries and technology, ERR reports. Joining the summit meeting in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine was ready to supply…
Estonia’s Supreme Court has rejected a request from President Alar Karis to declare legislative amendments obliging religious associations to sever their ties with hostile foreign states unconstitutional, ERR reports. Karis had insisted that the amendments violated the Constitution, arguing that the law would place excessive restrictions on freedom of religion and association. However, the Supreme…
A petition initiated by the mayor of the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, Valdas Benkunskas, on stricter language rules for foreigners has collected more than 22,500 signatures, BNS reports. Under the proposal, non-EU residents would be required to have at least A2-level proficiency in Lithuanian after three years of residence. Earlier, Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic argued that…
Two thirds of Estonian voters disapprove of the government’s performance, according to a new Norstat poll in May 2026, ERR reports. In the survey, 67% of respondents said that the government was performing poorly, while 27% found that the government was doing its job well. The government’s approval rating was unchanged from April 2026. Support…
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that drones which recently crashed in Latvian territory came from Ukraine, Ukrinform reported. Sybiha said that Russian electronic warfare had deliberately diverted the drones from their intended targets in Russia. He said that Ukraine was ready to send specialists to the Baltic States and Finland to prevent such incidents….
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 will close two more crossing points on the border with Russia at night as of 24 February 2026, initially for a period of three months, ERR reports. The Koidula and Luhamaa border crossing points will be closed to all traffic at night. Prime Minister Kristen Michal pointed to Russia’s “irrational behaviour” as the reason…
Estonia could close its border with Russia after Russian border guards crossed illegally into Estonian territory, Interior Minister Igor Taro stated, ERR reports. The government will discuss a possible revision of the current threat assessment. Taro said that the response should be proportional. Estonian and Russian border guards met to discuss the incident. Even though…