Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics backed a unilateral ban on Russian grain imports without waiting for a joint EU decision, LETA reported. Speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Evika Silina, Rinkevics pointed out that some of the Russian grain was stolen from occupied Ukrainian territory and that Russia was using food as a “hybrid weapon.”…
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has proposed extending current restrictions on Russian and Belarusian citizens for another year until May 2025, BNS reports. Under the proposal, the restrictions on Belarusians would be tightened but not completely to the level imposed on Russian nationals. Belarusian citizens arriving in Lithuania with Schengen visas would undergo extra risk assessments and…
A Russian attack on NATO countries was “practically impossible” in the near future, Lithuania’s defence chief, Valdemaras Rupsys, stated, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with Ziniu Radijas, Rupsys warned that diverging political statements and military assessments on the Russian threat created “some confusion,” which could scare the public. His assessment was that the possibility…
The construction of the Baltic Defence Line in Latvia could take a decade, Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds estimated, LETA reports. He noted that the project would entail significant costs, which were currently being assessed. The government will have to align the costs with other national priorities, the minister said. Earlier, Baltic defence ministers signed…
The Lithuanian government has banned military staff, border guards, and police officers from travelling off-duty to Russia, Belarus, and China, BNS reports. The Defence Ministry noted that Russia, Belarus, and China posed threats to Lithuania’s national security, including through espionage. Intelligence authorities in the three countries collect information on Lithuanian citizens with access to classified…
The decision of the three Baltic States to build a “Baltic defence line” is preparation for a possible Russian attack, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated, BNS reports. He said that the move served as a political message, seeking to draw the attention of allies to the threat posed by Russia. “If Russia is not…
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin dreams of restoring the Russian Empire, as indicated by Russian propaganda and hybrid warfare, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics stated, LETA reported. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Rinkevics said that the Latvian government should remember that peacetime was over, stressing the need to boost the defence industry and defence…
The cargo turnover of Latvian ports totalled 38.655mn tonnes in 2023, which was down 19.6% from 48.078mn tonnes in 2022, according to data from the Ministry of Transport, Baltic News Network reports. The ministry attributed the decline to changes in the geopolitical situation, particularly the sanctions against Russia. The volume of bulk cargo handled at…
The Estonian government has decided to terminate the country’s legal assistance agreement with Russia, ERR reports. The agreement mostly applies to cases under family and commercial law. The decision will lower judicial cooperation with Russia to the same level as with other third countries. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna noted that the legal assistance treaty was…
