A court in Latvia’s capital, Riga, has arrested three suspects in an arson attack on the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, LETA reports. The two men and woman arrested all have police records. Investigators suspect that the attack was motivated by hatred for the Latvian state and freedom, potentially influenced by Russia. The investigation…
The foreign ministers of Estonia and Ukraine, Margus Tsahkna and Dmytro Kuleba, called for using Russia’s frozen assets, valued at over USD 300bn, to help defend and rebuild Ukraine, ERR reported. Writing in a joint article published by the Estonian Foreign Ministry, the two ministers insisted that doing so would be both legal and just,…
Sweden joining NATO strengthens Baltic security by allowing for better planning and information sharing among members, according to Estonian experts, ERR reports. Sweden’s membership will make NATO’s defence activities more effective and deter Russia in the Baltic region, the experts believe. Sweden brings strong naval and air capabilities, early warning systems, and a significant defence…
The number of border violations on Latvia’s eastern border with Belarus is increasing amid warmer weather, State Border Guard (VRS) chief Guntis Pujats announced, LSM reports. He noted that the situation on the border remained calm in January and early February 2024, but that the number of attempts to cross the border illegally had picked up…
Vehicles with Russian licence plates will have to be entered into Lithuania’s national vehicle register or leave the country by 11 March 2024, the Lithuanian Customs Department (LRM) announced, ERR reports. Drivers violating the new rule risk fines and having their vehicles confiscated. Exceptions apply to vehicles transiting via Lithuania to or from Russia’s Kaliningrad…
Russian fascist symbols continue to appear in public places in Latvia, LSM reports. In the latest incident, the letters Z and V, which indicate support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, were spray-painted onto a bus stop along the Jelgava highway in Olaine. Public outcry prompted state road management company Latvijas Valsts Celi to…
Polish farmers have begun a week-long partial blockade of the Lithuanian border, BNS reports. The farmers are protesting against the EU’s environmental policies and the import of Ukrainian agricultural products. Polish authorities, not the farmers themselves, will conduct official checks, focusing on the origin of grain, particularly potential Russian imports disguised as Ukrainian. The farmers…
Russia has issued arrest warrants against Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Deutsche Welle reports. This is the first time that Russia has opened a criminal case against an acting foreign head of government. The Russian Interior Ministry’s full database of wanted people, which was leaked to independent Russian media outlet Mediazona, indicated that Kallas and…
Lithuania will close down two more checkpoints on the border with Belarus as of 1 March 2024, BNS reports. Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite said that closing the checkpoints in Lavoriskes and Raigardas would allow authorities to enforce sanctions, prevent smuggling, and screen incoming travellers more effectively. Also, the National Security Commission (NSK) proposed cutting the…
