EU must support Baltic states against Russian provocations - MEP Paet

TALLINN - Members of the European Parliament, including Urmas Paet, vice-chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, have sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, drawing attention to Russia's provocations against the Baltic states and calling on her and the EU to unitedly support the Baltic states.

"Russia's constant public, dangerous, and threatening provocations against the Baltic states have reached a critical point," said Urmas Paet. "Russia is accusing the Baltic states of preparing an anti-Russian military attack or of allowing Ukraine to use their territory to target Russia. This is happening at a time when Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are experiencing daily drone incursions into their airspace and territory," he added.

According to Paet, it is important in this context that European Commission President von der Leyen publicly and firmly reject Russia's baseless accusations on behalf of the EU. "Russia must stop these provocations immediately. It must be clearly stated that no EU member state can be threatened. It is extremely important and urgent to demonstrate European solidarity and the full support of the EU and its members for the Baltic states," Paet added.

In their letter, the MEPs call on both von der Leyen and the entire European Commission to continue supporting the Baltic states to ensure Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have full control and monitoring of their airspace and to prevent drone incursions from Russian territory.