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happened in the Baltic region during the week that were either too small to be implemented in a full analysis or could not be published in full due to time restrictions.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
- US Forces have been conduction Operation Dragon ride II, moving armoured vehicles from Germany towards Estonia. The goal is to give the vehicle operators and crew experience in moving long distances as well as gaining on the scene intelligence of how the roadwork in the Baltic States is and where US armoured vehicles can pass.
- Operation Anaconda 2016 has started in Poland.
Belarus
- Belarus and the EU held a meeting on economy and finances on Wednesday June 8.
- An offer was made to Russia to join efforts against disinformation campaigns on the Internet.
- As of Thursday June 9 there was still no agreement with Russia over the gas price of Russian gas.
Estonia
- Russian planes are reported to have violated Estonian airspace. Russia denies the allegations.
- US forces under part of Dragoon ride II have reached Estonia on Wednesday June 8.
- Estonia plans to spend 75 million euro on increasing the electronic surveillance of its border with Russia. In the plan the use of drones is advocated.
- The Bank of Estonia cut its prediction for the economic growth in 2016 by 0.4%. The new growth estimate now 1.8%.
Finland
- Finland will host a bilateral meeting with Belarus on June 14. Talks will include bilateral cooperation, cooperation with international organisations and the relations between Belarus and the EU.
Germany
- Siemens will finance the construction of a power plant in Damavand, Iran.
Latvia
- The Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis has called for Latvia’s border with Russia to be improved. Several investments are needed to equip and man the Latvian Border Guard so that the Russian border can be properly monitored
Lithuania
- Lithuanian citizen Aristidas Tamosaitis, sentenced in Russia on spying charges, wants to serve his 12-year sentence in Lithuania.
- Lithuania continues to voice concerns about Belarus planning to build a nuclear power plant close to the Lithuanian border.
Poland
- The Polish President Andrzej Duda held talks with Denmark about the construction of the Baltic Pipe, a pipeline connecting Norway and Poland via Denmark. Baltic Pipe will aid in making Poland less depend on Russian gas.
- Poland will be producing 26,000 new assault rifles of the types WZ 96C and WZ 96C Mini Beryl. All existing WZ 96 riffles will be upgraded to the ‘C’ standard as well
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