Baltics disconnecting from Russian power grid a 'victory for freedom' - Kallas

BRUSSELS - The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Friday the impending disconnection of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from Russia's power grid was a "victory for freedom."

The three EU and NATO countries are set to sever electricity ties with Moscow on Saturday in a politically charged move three decades after they regained their independence.

"Russia can no longer use energy as a tool of blackmail," said Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister.

"This is a victory for freedom and European unity."

The Baltic states have been preparing to break from the Soviet-era power grid and integrate with the European network for years.

The switch became more urgent after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Latvia will physically cut a power line to Russia on Saturday and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is to attend a ceremony with Baltic leaders in Lithuania on Sunday.