The weekly SITREP (Situational Report) brings relevant events that happened in the Baltic region during the week that were either too small to be implemented in a full analysis or could not be published in full due to time restrictions. They never provide important background information concerning the Baltic Region.
General
- The Czech Republic will continue to play an active role in the defence of the Baltic airspace according to Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka.
- The three Baltic States called for the free movement of allied troops through Europe and most noticeable the Baltic States, calling to an end of all the required paperwork and diplomatic clearance needed before troops can move between EU members.
- The Visegrad Group wants to create a military unit of 150 troops for the Baltic States. Every three months the military unit will be rotated with each Visegrad member sending one unit of their armed forces towards the Baltic States for the duration on three months.
Belarus
- Pope Francis has visited Belarus on Friday 21 May to discuss the relations between Belarus and the Roman Catholic Church.
Estonia
- The Estonian firm Milrem announced that its THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) past three days of rigorous tests during the military exercise “Spring Storm”. The UGV was mainly used in transporting equipment and materials.
- Estonia calls for NATO to constantly station at least 1.000 troops in each Baltic State to increase the deterrence against Russia.
Finland
- Two NATO frigates, the British HMS Iron Duke and the Spanish Alvaro de Bazan, have docked in Helsinki during the weekend. Both vessels will take part in NATO’s BALTOPS training exercise set to commence on 3 June.
Germany
- The German Minister of Economy, Sigmar Gabriel, called for a further dialogue to remove the sanctions against Russia.
- Budget restrains will prevent Germany from buying an additional 100 tanks to equip its armed forces.
Lithuania
- Industrial production in Lithuania is reported to be down by 2.7 pct in April.
- Gross earnings in the whole economy of Lithuania are down by 1.2 pct over the whole first quarter of 2016.
- The Lithuanian and Belgian navies will cooperate better in the field of mine countermeasure operations in the Baltic Sea.
- Lithuania gives full support to Georgia’s bid to join NATO.
Poland
- NATO exercise Brilliant Jump 16, the first big training deployment of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, will come to an end on Friday 27 May.
Russia
- Russian Paratroopers have been holding drills in the central Ryazan region. This exercise might be linked to NATO holding its Brilliant Jump 16 exercise in Poland.
Sweden
- Even with Sweden rejecting full NATO membership it still wants closer ties with the Alliance. The Swedish parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Host Nation Status agreement, allowing NATO forces to be based in Sweden and supported by Swedish resources.