Tag: Estonia

The frequency balancing facility of Latvia's transmission system operator AST (Augstspriegumu Tikls) is pictured in Grobina, near the border with Lithuania.
TOP STORIES

Three NATO countries still rely on Russia for their electricity grid but are close to ending this dependence

Estonia, together with its Baltic neighbors Latvia and Lithuania, is eagerly anticipating the end of one of the last remnants of 50 years of Soviet rule: a power grid still under Russian control. As part of the final preparations for this transition, authorities are working to ready the public for the possibility of power outages, a scenario that many consider unlikely. A recent post from … Continue reading Three NATO countries still rely on Russia for their electricity grid but are close to ending this dependence

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DEFENCE

Europe’s Recruitment Dilemma: NATO Faces Troop Shortages

Throughout much of its existence, NATO has faced a significant challenge: a shortage of troops. This concern was particularly pronounced during the Cold War, as NATO observed the Warsaw Pact’s 6 million troops stationed in East Germany, compared to their own 5 million, along with a greater number of divisions, tanks, combat aircraft, and submarines. Since that time, the situation has only deteriorated. In the … Continue reading Europe’s Recruitment Dilemma: NATO Faces Troop Shortages

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TOP STORIES

Armenian authorities have approved a proposal to begin the process of applying for EU membership

On Thursday, the Armenian government approved a bill aimed at initiating the country’s application to join the European Union. This move comes as Armenia has increasingly strengthened its ties with Western nations, distancing itself from its historically close relationship with Moscow, which has been criticized for not adequately supporting Armenia against its longstanding adversary, Azerbaijan. The legislation was proposed following a successful petition drive. According … Continue reading Armenian authorities have approved a proposal to begin the process of applying for EU membership

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Donald Trump makes remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
TOP STORIES

Trump has not ruled out military action to acquire the Panama Canal and Greenland

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump indicated on Tuesday that he would not dismiss the possibility of employing military or economic measures to secure the Panama Canal and Greenland, aligning with his broader expansionist vision following his victory in the November 5 election. As he prepares to assume office on January 20, Trump has also proposed the idea of transforming Canada into a U.S. state, called for … Continue reading Trump has not ruled out military action to acquire the Panama Canal and Greenland

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Finnish Border Guard's ship Turva and oil tanker Eagle S sail on the sea outside the Porkkalanniemi, Finland.
DEFENCE

Estonia advocates for reforms in maritime law to enhance the protection of undersea infrastructure

Centuries-old international maritime law requires modernization to prohibit damage to undersea infrastructure, including cables and pipelines, according to the Estonian justice minister in a statement to Reuters following recent damage to cables linking Estonia and Finland. On Thursday, Finnish authorities detained a vessel suspected of carrying Russian oil in the Baltic Sea, believed to have caused the disruption of an undersea power cable between Finland … Continue reading Estonia advocates for reforms in maritime law to enhance the protection of undersea infrastructure

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German warship FGS Weilheim and other warships of NATO allies are docked during NATO exercise Freezing Winds 24, led by the Finnish Navy, in the Baltic Sea in Turku, Finland.
DEFENCE

NATO faces challenges in securing the Baltic Sea amid rising allegations of sabotage

On November 18, shortly after two communication cables were cut in the Baltic Sea, 30 NATO vessels and 4,000 military personnel commenced operations in the same region for one of the largest naval exercises in northern Europe. The 12-day exercise, named ‘Freezing Winds,’ is part of an initiative to enhance the transatlantic defense alliance’s safeguarding of infrastructure in waters that account for 15% of global … Continue reading NATO faces challenges in securing the Baltic Sea amid rising allegations of sabotage

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EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas
DIPLOMACY

EU is considering sanctions in response to Georgia pausing its accession talks

Newly appointed EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has indicated that sanctions are among several “options” under consideration by the bloc following Georgia‘s decision to suspend its accession talks with Brussels and its crackdown on pro-EU demonstrations. Protests have erupted in Tbilisi since Thursday, when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the suspension of EU accession discussions until 2028, citing what he described as Brussels’ “constant … Continue reading EU is considering sanctions in response to Georgia pausing its accession talks

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DEFENCE

Nordic and Baltic nations, plus Poland, will boost ammunition support for Ukraine

Nordic and Baltic nations, along with Poland, announced on Wednesday their intention to enhance support for Ukraine in the upcoming months. This will include bolstering the country’s defense industry and increasing the availability of ammunition. In a joint statement, the leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Poland, and Sweden emphasized their commitment to strengthening deterrence and defense capabilities, including resilience against both conventional and … Continue reading Nordic and Baltic nations, plus Poland, will boost ammunition support for Ukraine

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DEFENCE

US allies are attempting to reassure one another that the situation will remain stable under Trump’s leadership

European allies dedicated the weekend to reaffirming their commitment to the lessons learned from the first Trump administration, aiming to prepare for a potential second term. However, there was uncertainty about whether they truly believed in their own reassurances. “I don’t foresee the U.S. distancing itself from Europe in the upcoming years,” stated Gen. Onno Eichelsheim, the chief general of The Netherlands. “While that seems … Continue reading US allies are attempting to reassure one another that the situation will remain stable under Trump’s leadership

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