Baltic jitters grow over next moves of former ruler Russia

Nervously eyeing Russian naval maneuvers and military flights near their borders, the three ex-Soviet Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, fear they may emerge as the next geopolitical flashpoint after Ukraine in a confrontation that could test their cherished Western ties. With President Barack Obama heading to Estonia on Wednesday on a visit designed to underline U.S. solidarity with the Balts ahead of a NATO summit in Wales, the three tiny republics are renewing calls for troops on the ground and military help. The Balts’ deepest fear is that their NATO allies do not take seriously enough the threat they see from President Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

It is important that Obama is coming. The risk is he gives a nice speech—but what actually do we do?

Artis Pabriks, Latvia’s former defense minister

Anchored in NATO, unlike Ukraine, they have far less cause to fear a full-blown Russian military invasion, but they worry about cyberattacks and other more stealthy forms of aggression. Russia certainly seems to be testing the Balts’ vigilance. Last week, NATO jets were scrambled several times to intercept Russian bombers and fighters approaching Baltic airspace. Latvia spotted Russian submarines 23 nautical miles away from its territorial waters.

Russia cannot compete with the whole of Europe. But Putin can focus on weaker spots like the Baltics …

Artis Pabriks

Russia Europe