"No EU member state can be threatened...": European Parliament express solidarity with Baltic states amid Russian allegations
Brussels, May 21
The European Parliament's Conference of Presidents has expressed full solidarity with Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, strongly rejecting what it described as "unfounded and dangerous" allegations by Russia that the Baltic states were preparing hostile actions against Moscow.
The statement by the European Parliament's political leaders was made in response to Russia's allegations against Latvia as well as Estonia and Lithuania.
It noted that the leaders strongly rejected the recent unfounded and dangerous allegations made by the Russian Federation against Latvia as well as Estonia and Lithuania, including claims that the Baltic states are preparing hostile actions against Russia or allowing their territory or airspace or military facilities to be used for attacks against Russia. Allegations which Latvia has categorically denied as disinformation.
The statement said that the accusations form part of a "broader pattern of intimidation, disinformation and provocation directed against EU Member States and are particularly serious in light of repeated incursions of unidentified drones into the airspace and territory of the Baltic states" and called them as unacceptable and contributing to heightened tensions and instability in the region.
The Conference of Presidents expressed its full solidarity with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
"No EU Member State can be threatened, intimidated or subjected to coercive pressure by Russia. The security of the Baltic states is the security of the European Union as a whole."
The leaders called on the Commission, the High Representative and the Council to continue supporting Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, in close coordination with NATO, in strengthening airspace surveillance, counter-drone capabilities and situational awareness, and in reinforcing their capacity to prevent and respond to further incursions.
"We call on the Commission, the High Representative and the Council to continue countering disinformation with stronger strategic communication, mobilise EU resources to protect the Eastern flank and reject fake news that threaten European democracy and security", the statement added.
It underlined that the European Union must remain united, vigilant and resolute in the face of Russian attempts to destabilise its neighbourhood, undermine European security and divide Member States.
In a post on X, EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen called the threats completely unacceptable and that Europe would respond with unity and strength.
This comes after TASS had reported that the press bureau of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) reported that Kiev had convinced Riga to use its territory to carry out a drone operation against Russia.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who supports international law, this is troubling but predictable. Russia's playbook is the same everywhere - accuse others of aggression while you prepare your own. The Baltic states are small but resilient. India should also be concerned about such false flag tactics in our region.
This is just another example of Russia testing the waters. The Baltic states are EU and NATO members, so any attack on them is an attack on the entire alliance. But I worry about the fake news angle - Europe needs to step up media literacy and counter-disinformation campaigns. We've seen this playbook in India too with fake news spreading like wildfire.
The EU's response is good, but why does it always take a direct threat to the Baltics for Europe to act? Russia has been destabilising its neighbours since 2014. And the silence on Ukraine's use of Baltic airspace? Either the EU is serious about collective defence or it's not. 🎯
I'm wary of escalating tensions here. Both sides are making accusations without clear evidence. The EU must be careful not to get dragged into a conflict that could spiral. But the drone incursions are definitely concerning - Russia shouldn't test the boundaries of collective defence.
A well-coordinated statement from EU political leaders. But it's one thing to express solidarity and another to provide real military and intelligence support to the Baltic states. NATO should immediately increase its presence there. And India should note how quickly Europe acts when its members are threatened - we need similar solidarity in South Asia.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.