In Tallinn Baltic Prime Ministers discuss support for Ukraine, upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius and strategic infrastructure projects

At an informal meeting of the Prime Ministers of the Baltic Council of Ministers in Tallinn, Estonia, on 3 February, the Heads of Government of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, Ingrida Šimonytė, Krišjānis Kariņš and Kaja Kallas, discussed the security situation in the region, preparations for the NATO Summit in Vilnius, support for Ukraine, sanctions against Russia and Belarus, cooperation in the field of energy security, progress in Rail Baltica, and other issues of relevance.

‘The war that has been ongoing for almost a year now must not become a new reality for us to live in complacency and forget about the new victims of Russia’s daily terror in Ukraine. Not only would “getting tired” be unfair to the Ukrainians, but it would also be disingenuous for our own security. Russia remains a threat and we must continue our support for Ukraine and work further to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank. We attach great importance to this as we prepare for the forthcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius,’ said Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.

At their meeting in Tallinn, the three Prime Ministers agreed on the need to continue to put pressure on Russia and to strengthen its international isolation for the war and war crimes that carry on.

Western decisions on the transfer of tanks to Ukraine are welcome, but only a faster and bigger military aid will help Ukraine to regain all the occupied territories and to achieve a sustainable peace in Europe.

According to Prime Minister Šimonytė, it is important not only to expand the European Union’s sanctions against Russia, in particular with regard to dual-use items and components, but also to prevent the circumvention of sanctions through third countries. Mirror sanctions against Belarus, which is collaborating with the aggressor, would significantly contribute to a more effective implementation of the sanctions.

The Prime Ministers also noted Baltic support for Ukraine in its Euro-integration process towards EU membership.

Other items discussed at the meeting included energy security in the region, the synchronisation of electricity grids with the continental Western European networks, and further efforts in the field of renewable energy.

‘The geopolitical context leaves no doubt that synchronisation with Western Europe is key for our energy independence and security, and we have a common goal for the Baltic States to complete the process as soon as possible,’ said Prime Minister Šimonytė.

Another project of strategic importance for the entire Baltic region being Rail Baltica, its progress was also discussed at the meeting of the Prime Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.