Baltic diplomats reject Russian claims over airspace for attacks

VILNIUS - The Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian charges d'affaires in Moscow submitted a joint demarche to Russia's Foreign Ministry rejecting allegations that the Baltic states had opened their airspace for attacks on targets in Russia.

The diplomats reiterated that public statements made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin on July 4 were false.

"Despite the fact that Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have consistently expressed their official positions at various levels, the Russian side continues to spread false information and escalate tensions. The Baltic states reject Russia's accusations as completely groundless," a joint Baltic statement said.

"It is emphasised that drone incursions into Baltic airspace are a consequence of Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine," the statement added.

The charges d'affaires also dismissed other recent claims by Russian Foreign Ministry officials regarding the Baltic states. They stressed that the rule of law is guaranteed for all residents in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, and that contrary assertions are not based on facts and represent a deliberate attempt by Russia to spread disinformation.

The Baltic countries again called on Russia to end its war of aggression against Ukraine and expressed support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and right to self-defence under the United Nations Charter.