Europe will react to Russia's threat to the Baltic States with unity and strength - EC President

RIGA - Russia's threats against the Baltic states are completely unacceptable and Europe will react with unity and strength, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.

"Russia's public threats against the Baltic States are completely unacceptable," von der Leyen posted on X.

"Let there be no doubt. A threat against one Member State is a threat against our entire Union," the EC chief stressed.

She pointed out that "Russia and Belarus bear direct responsibility for drones endangering the lives and security of people on our Eastern flank".

"Europe will respond with unity and strength. We will continue reinforcing the security of our Eastern flank with strong collective defense and preparedness at every level," von der Leyen added.

For her part, European Parliament (EP) President Roberta Metsola expressed solidarity with the Baltic states.

"Our full solidarity goes to all people in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and our Eastern flank, facing danger from hostile drone activity linked to Russia and Belarus.

In moments like these, Europe must continue to invest in security for stability, freedom, and peace," Metsola wrote on X.

"In moments like these, Europe must continue to invest in security for stability, freedom, and peace." the EP president said.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called ridiculous Russian intelligence service's claim that Ukraina prepares its strikes on Russia from the territory of the Baltic states and that Ukrainian soldiers have arrived in Latvia.

"This Russian claim is absolutely ridiculous and Russia knows it," Rutte told reporters in Brussels.

As reported, drones have recently been flying into Baltic airspace. Often, these have been Ukrainian drones that were directed at targets in Russia, but whose course has been altered by Russia by means of electronic warfare, turning them toward the Baltic states.

For its part, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service this week spread false allegations that Ukraine was preparing strikes against Russia from the territory of the Baltic states and that Ukrainian soldiers had already been sent to Latvia.