The recent Russian military aggression against Ukraine has caused substantial concern not only in the Baltic states, but in other EU and NATO countries as well. One source of concern comes not from traditional military threats as such, but instead from a much talked-about but less well-known phenomenon –Russian non-military influence and “soft power” in the Baltic states.
NATO has released video of the Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 fighter, assigned to NATO's air policing mission, intercepting Russian fighter aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
In a new edition of NATO Review Magazine, Lithuanian cartoonist Rytis Daukantas takes a sideways look at some of the main changes Lithuanians have seen since the end of the Cold War. And finds a freer country.
Here is a quick look at what international press said about Lithuania last week (October 6-13). Some of the news you may recall, some may be new to you, but all of the topics below are worthy of a mention.
The prime minister and foreign minister of Lithuania are in the U.S. this week, seeking support for their fellow Baltic states as well. Robert Siegel from the National Public Radio (NPR) talks to Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius.
The Central and Eastern European Coalition (CEES) calls its members to support adoption of a resolution by the United States Congress that would provide $100M of military assistance to Ukraine and designate Ukraine as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).
During the U.S. President Obama’s visit to Estonia earlier this week where he met leaders of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia ahead of the NATO summit in Wales, the White House posted on its site a document, once again underscoring the close ties that the United States has with each of the Baltic States.
In advance of the NATO summit on Sept 4–5 in the United Kingdom, President Obama will visit Tallinn, Estonia, to meet with presidents of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.