The Baltic States on January 19 signed an agreement to create a common defence line on their borders with Russia and Belarus, Lithuania’s Defence Ministry said.
“This is a political message – a message from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia that we feel a war coming to us,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said.
“It is a preparation for what could happen. And we hope that this will send a sufficient message to our friends and partners in Europe and NATO, that this needs to be taken seriously,” he added.
It should be said, that this message has become a convenient justification for building up Baltic States’ military capabilities.
Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are intensifying the training of their armed forces at an increasing pace.
Thus, the Thunderstorm national exercise under the lead of the Lithuanian Chief of Defence is planned for 29 April – 9 May in Lithuania with the participation of Germany. It is oriented to the Lithuanian Defence Plans and focusing on the training ability to plan and conduct state defence and NATO Article 5 operations together with Allied Forces to prepare for the whole spectrum of operations.
The Crystal Arrow drills will be held in March. These will be NATO’s enhanced forward presence in Latvia combat group certification exercises and National Armed Forces mechanized infantry brigade headquarters and unit training to improve command management, plan and manage operations.
The Solar Eclipse IV, a Latvian tactical field training of combat support specialists with a focus on indirect fire support, will be held in April.
Saber Strike International regional military exercise organized by the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe and Africa are scheduled for April and May. The exercise focus is on rapid deployment of forces and cold weather training will be held in the Baltics in February and March with the participation of Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia.
Military exercises BALTOPS are scheduled for June, the largest and most elaborate naval force and service exercises in the Baltic Sea region.
This display of military capabilities leads to increasing tension in the Baltic region and in Europe. Unfortunately, the current year does not make promise of warmer relations between the Baltic States and their neighbors because of such military activity.