EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — In any dialogue of the potential risk Russia poses past Ukraine, the three Baltic states are on the prime of the record. With the potential exception of Poland, no different nations have been as menaced by Moscow over the previous century. For 5 a long time Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia had been beneath the highly effective boot of Soviet communism, and so they had been among the many first Soviet republics to stand up towards Moscow within the waning years of the usS.R. They’re additionally Russia’s neighbors, and whereas Lithuania was as soon as a significant European energy (see the fifteenth century Grand Duchy of Lithuania), at present the three international locations mixed are dwarfed in measurement and inhabitants by Ukraine.
All of which helps clarify why the Baltic nations see themselves as fragile frontline states within the battle towards Russian aggression – actual and potential. They’ve been among the many strongest supporters of the Ukrainian resistance, and in a small however telling signal this week, Lithuania’s protection minister stated the Baltic international locations ought to shoot down any Russian drones that drift into their airspace. That adopted the current information {that a} Russian drone had crashed in Latvian territory.
Entry all of The Cipher Temporary’s nationwide security-focused skilled perception by changing into a Cipher Temporary Subscriber+ Member.
Signal Up Log In
The publish Baltic Worry of Russia: ‘It’s Not Simply Theoretical Anymore’ appeared first on The Cipher Temporary.
