The Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) plans to carry out a broad transformation, NBS commander Major General Kaspars Pudans announced, LSM reports. The plan includes adding new capabilities and technologies as well as restructuring the overall structure of the armed forces. NATO division deputy commander Brigadier General Ilmars Lejins will lead the transformation. He said…
Finnish President Alexander Stubb is paying a two-day state visit to Lithuania, STT reports. Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Ville Tavio, and a large business delegation are travelling together with the president. The visit will focus on bilateral relations, defence and technology cooperation, and Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Stubb will meet…
Two freight trains derailed in Lithuania within 48 hours on 1 and 2 May 2026, prompting fears of possible Russian sabotage, LRT reported. However, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said that the accidents were caused by technical failure or human error, BNS reported. A spokesman for state-owned railway group Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (LTG) said that the derailment…
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina sharply criticised Defence Minister Andris Spruds after drones from Russia crashed in Latvian territory, LETA reported. Silina pointed to the lack of timely warning to local residents about the incoming drones. The government’s EUR 2bn defence budget means that people will expect accountability from the minister, she stated. Silina said…
The Lithuanian government is considering the possibility of allowing the construction of small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) in the country, LRT reports. Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas said that the government would identify two or three SMR technologies in 2026 for further evaluation in terms of technical and economic feasibility. The minister stressed Lithuania’s need to…
Officials in Lithuania have arrested nine individuals accused of plotting murders and sabotage across Europe for Russia’s military intelligence service, GRU, The New York Times reports. Authorities said that the GRU-affiliated network had targeted people who had supported Ukraine or worked against Russia, LRT reported. The network included citizens of Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova,…
Lithuania has proposed an action plan to attract more investments from Taiwan, the Foreign Ministry announced, BNS reports. The plan, which remains a “working draft,” outlines priority sectors and potential projects with a focus on developing Lithuania’s high-tech sector, the ministry said. Asta Skaisgiryte, foreign policy adviser to President Gitanas Nauseda, said that Lithuania could…
Estonia’s Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta demanded that the European Commission add the Telegram messaging service to the EU’s list of very large online platforms (VLOP), ERR reports. She said that an independent count showed that the platform clearly had more users than the threshold to be deemed a VLOP. The listing would force Telegram to…
The Baltic States and Poland can become a bridge to reinforce relations with the United States, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said, LETA reports. Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Polish President Karol Nawrocki in Riga, Rinkevics called on countries in the region to ensure that transatlantic ties are strengthened rather than weakened. He…