Due to following up the BREXIT, the weekly SITREP got posted with some delay!
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happened in the Baltic region during the week that were either too small to be implemented in a full analysis or could not be published in full due to time restrictions.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
- Chief of the Main Intelligence Department of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Vadym Skibytskiy told the Ukrainian press that Russia is preparing for a war against the West.
- Latvian members of parliament have submitted a petition in support of Latvian and Estonian non-citizens to the EU. The petition seeks the rights for Estonia’s non-citizens to become members of political parties and to vote in the European Parliament election and, in the case of Latvia’s non-citizens, the right to vote in the European Parliament election.
- The Czech General Petr Paval once again warned that Russia could invade the Baltics using the same scenario’s used in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. Earlier statements by General Paval warned that Russia could overrun the Baltic States in 48 hours, a statement that later proved to be correct in a RAND cooperation study.
Estonia
- An Estonian interview recited Ukrainian foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin that Russia is both at war against Ukraine and the EU.
- A-10 Warthogs made a landing on a highway at Jägala at 100 miles from the Russian Border. The landings were a part of Exercise Sabre Strike. The last time an A-10 landed on a highway was in 1984 and this manoeuvre resembles what could happen during a war.
- The Estonian stock market was closed on Thursday and Friday because of a double holiday.
- Estonia and the US have signed an agreement on defence research.
Latvia
- Latvia is pushing NATO to reopen the old soviet naval base at Liepaja. Latvia cites that the base is obviously of considerable military logistic utility and could be part of a more serious practical deterrent strategy if properly characterized.
Lithuania
- Britain reassured Lithuania that it will remain committed to the defence of the Baltic States, even when Britain will opt for leaving the EU.
- Predisdent Dalia Grybauskaite has approved permanent military duty for Lithuanian citizens. Up to 3,500 and 4,000 people will be drafted for compulsory military service each year.
- Lithuania once again asked Belarus to suspend the construction of a nuclear power plant at Ostrovets in the Grodno region until a stress test can be done and an inspection by the IAEA.
Poland
- Poland has inaugurated a LNG terminal on Saturday. The LNG terminal will make Poland less dependent on Russian gas. Deliveries of LNG will come from Qatar, Australia and Norway. In 2022 Poland plans to break completely free from Russian gas imports.
Russia
- Russia has asked Canada not to join NATO’s new force structure that will be set up in Eastern Europe.
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