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happened in the Baltic region during the week that were either too small to be implemented in a full analysis or could not be published in full due to time restrictions.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 nevertheless provide important background information concerning the Baltic Region.
General
- NATO continues to intercept Russian planes trying to intrude Baltic airspace.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg promised more troops in the form of additional battalions to be stationed in Poland after the July summit in Warsaw.
- The Baltic electricity systems are preparing to work independently.
- Both Poland and Estonia called on the United Kingdom to not leave the European Union, stating that the durability, stability and economic prospects of the EU are at stake.
- 3 US Air Force B-52 bombers will participate in both BALTOPS and Sabre Strike. Both NATO exercises will be held during this month.
- On June 3 the maritime exercise BALTOPS (Baltic Operations) will begin. 6.100 maritime, air force and ground troops from 15 NATO members, as well as Sweden and Finland, will participate in this exercise that will last until June 19.
Belarus
- President Alexander Lukashenko praised the work of the border service in protecting the country and combatting illegal migration, smuggling and other crimes.
Estonia
- Estonia and China have agreed for more bilateral cooperation in various areas.
Finland
- The public debate on Finland joining NATO has been increasing after Sweden decided to work more closely with NATO.
Latvia
- Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis called Germany the most strategic partner of Latvia in Europe.
- On May 24 Latvia approved a new state defence strategy calling for a stronger military build-up and citing Russia as a direct threat. Ratification of the new strategy will happen on October 1.
Lithuania
- Lithuania has entered negotiations with Norway on medium-range aircraft defence system NASAMS in a bid to deter Russian aircraft from violating Lithuanian airspace.
- Lithuania will send military instructors towards Ukraine to provide assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces.
- Energy prices went up by 14 pct since last week.
- The US Department of Energy has shared experience with Lithuania on how to protect strategic energy infrastructure.
Poland
- 14 US F-16 fighter aircraft from the 510th Fighter Squadron, stationed in Aviano, have arrived in Poland to participate in NATO’s BALTOPS exercise.
Russia
- Russia once more condemns the NATO build up in Eastern Europe and the Baltic States as NATO promised more troops to be stationed in Poland.
- Further claims by Russia state that NATO exercises in Poland and Lithuania will only serve to aggravate the tensions between Russia and NATO.
- Russia decided to take military ‘countermeasures’ in response to the NATO build up in Eastern Europe.
Sweden
- Sweden can not defend the island Gotland, according to military experts, even with the current proposals in raising troop levels on the island. Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist pointed out that the goal of additional troops is to raise the threshold for an aggressor and deter him from action. The situation will however be evaluated and if needed corrected.
- SAAB received the order for developing a new lightweight torpedo for the Swedish Navy.
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