Estonia: Head of Russian church declared threat, ordered to leave

Estonia’s Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has refused to extend the residence permit of Metropolitan Eugene (Valery Reshetnikov) of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, ERR reports. The head of the Russian church in Estonia will therefore have to leave the country by 6 February 2024. Despite repeated warnings, Reshetnikov has continued…

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Baltic: Agreement signed to build Baltic defence line on eastern border

The defence ministers of the Baltic States have signed an agreement on building “anti-mobility defensive installations” on their borders with Russia and Belarus, Estonia’s Defence Ministry announced, ERR reports. The Baltic defence line will include bunkers, support points, and distribution lines. Estonia plans to begin building the bunkers in early 2025. The number of bunkers…

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Baltic: Ministers support ban on Russian grain imports into EU

The Baltic States support banning the import of grain from Russia and Belarus into the EU, according to the Lithuanian Transport Minister, Marius Skuodis, BNS reports. He discussed the issue with Latvian Transport Minister Kaspars Briskens and Estonian Climate Minister Kristen Michal. The ministers agreed to coordinate actions and avoid national initiatives. Earlier, Skuodis noted…

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Baltic: Putin setting narrative for attack on Baltic States: report

Russian President Vladimir Putin has increased efforts to create the information conditions for a future escalation against the Baltic States, according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), LRT reports. Putin asserted that Latvia’s moves to expel Russian citizens “directly affected Russia’s security.” Earlier, Latvia’s Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)…

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Lithuania: Many citizens with family ties to sanctioned persons

The Lithuanian Migration Department (LMD) has found several Lithuanian citizens with family ties to persons under EU sanctions, BNS reports. LMD started the investigation after media reported that two of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s children have Lithuanian citizenship and may have helped him evade sanctions. LMD is now checking thousands of people and plans to…

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Lithuania: Ministers criticise proposal to close Russian schools

Lithuania’s Justice Minister, Ewelina Dobrowolska, warned against “populism” over the issue of Russian schools, BNS reported. Earlier, Education Minister Gintautas Jakstas suggested that Lithuania follow Estonia and Latvia in closing Russian schools. Speaking in an interview with Ziniu Radijas, Dobrowolska conceded that minority education faced challenges but insisted that they be dealt with by ensuring…

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Estonia: Russian professor at Tartu University arrested for spying

The Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) has arrested Vyacheslav Morozov, professor of international political theory at the University of Tartu, on suspicion of spying for Russia, ERR reports. Morozov, who is a Russian citizen, was remanded in custody for two months. The University of Tartu terminated his employment contract after the launch of the investigation….

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