Confused yet? Essential analysis of the stories shaping geopolitics on the continent. After the end of the Cold War, NATO added 14 more members from 1999 to 2020. In Latvia and Estonia, the president is elected by parliament, while Lithuania has a semi-presidential system whereby the president is elected by popular vote. Then, two years later, NATO underwent the largest expansion in its history, admitting seven more Eastern European countries, including the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which . The predecessors of the modern Balts lived in a large swathe of territory south of the Finno-Ugric tribes, stretching west from territory that is now part of central Russia to the mouth of the Vistula River in modern-day Poland. Germany has backed the two Nord Stream natural gas pipelines along the Baltic seabed. Country by country, this page offers an overview of the links to national information servers and to the website of national delegations to NATO. [4][5], All three Baltic countries experienced a period of authoritarian rule by a head of state who had come to power after a bloodless coup: Antanas Smetona in Lithuania (19261940), Krlis Ulmanis in Latvia (19341940), and Konstantin Pts during the "era of silence" (19341938) in Estonia, respectively. German MP says Merkel shares responsibility for war in Ukraine as ex Ukraines economy and infrastructure have been dealt blows that will take decades to recover from. She has garnered widespread support and international . Is Weiss correct? The Czechs are embroiled in the biggest row of all, which looks set to involve the departure of dozens of Czech and Russian diplomats and was prompted by Czech allegations that Russian intelligence was behind a deadly explosion at an ammunication depot in 2014. read more. Delivered Wednesday. Since 2021, the tiny Baltic nation of Lithuania has come up against three authoritarian regimes: Belarus, China, and Russia. Answer (1 of 5): The Baltic countries are 3 states that are in the northeastern region of Europe. Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. Russia borders Latvia to the east, and the Baltic Sea is to the west. Urmas Reinsalu. In fact, in 1236, a chieftain named Mindaugas managed to unite some of the Lithuanian tribes into one political entity. Their combined defense spending is around half of Russiasbut the Kremlin has global ambitions, such as space weapons, a blue-water navy, and a strategic nuclear arsenal. Therefore, the diversification of suppliers is needed. It had, however, been embroiled in a bloody civil war back in 1918, something that had not happened in the Baltic states. And only a thin corridor some 60 miles long between Lithuania and Poland separates Russian forces in Belarus from Kaliningrad, the Russian territory on the Baltic Sea that is stuffed with. After the Baltic states had restored their independence, integration with Western Europe became a major strategic goal. Washington jealously guards its best intelligencefor example, anything involving Russian submarines. The best way to increase the internal and external credibility of defense is to practice using difficult scenarios in real time. During the interwar period the three countries as well as Finland and Poland sometimes were collectively referred to as limitrophe states (from French language), as they together formed a "rim" along the western border of Soviet Russia and the Soviet Union. What does that mean for trade and globalization? Xi Jinpings signature foreign policy is a shadow of its former self.. The pandemics outbreak brought rare reporting freedoms. U.S. will defend NATO Baltic states against Russia, Blinken says - CNBC Rinkvis wants a permanent NATO presence on the alliances eastern flank. Read also: Hungary's Orban pushes for US-Russia talks on Ukraine, praises Merkel She said the fact . NATO - Member countries Both Western and Eastern Christianity had been introduced by the end of the first millennium. It was the birth of what would become the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which came to control the southern part of the Baltics, while Sweden controlled the north. Putins threat to respond to NATO with military-technical measures could easily involve the deployment of medium-range missiles, perhaps even nuclear-armed weapons, in Russias Kaliningrad exclave. The challenge is how to address Baltic security concerns while avoiding steps that would lead to a more unstable situation with Russia in the future. 1941 saw the invasion and occupation of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia by Nazi Germany, before the Red Army re-conquered the territory in 19441945, after which the Soviet Union maintained control over the three countries until 1991. In nearby Poland, the United States has a more substantial presence of 5,000 service members. This article covers the history of the region from antiquity to the post-Soviet period. The Latvian and Lithuanian peoples speak languages belonging to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European linguistic family and are commonly known as Balts. An unclassified version would boost public awareness. FPsRavi Agrawalsat down with U.S. Trade RepresentativeKatherine Tai, the Biden administrations top official tasked with mapping out and implementing the White Houses trade policy. [25] Secondly, the dependence on single supplier Russia is not healthy both for economics and politics. NATO exercises used to be different: harder, bigger, and costlier. The three countries were independent until the outbreak of World War II. Current exercises in the region are too small, too well scripted, and too devoid of complexity. Baltic states, northeastern region of Europe containing the countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. He would later be assassinated, but the political entity he created would endure. March 18, 2022. 6.3 France. Although the Baltic states are one small operational area in military terms, they have three national headquarters, each commanding pint-sized forces. NATO as an integral structure will cease to exist." That would lead to a "fundamental collapse of the West" with some countries even willing to accept missile strikes on Poland and the Baltic . So unused to being challenged, the United States has become so filled with anxiety over China that sober responses are becoming nearly impossible. Neighboring Norway, though not a littoral state, is closely involved in Baltic Sea security through its logistical, intelligence, and military aviation capabilities. If we want to be ready from the first minute of any kind of attack to defend our citizens, and if you want to give citizens of Latvia the same feeling of security as the citizens of France, Britain, Spain, (and) Germanythen there must be this permanent presence and more firepower and capabilities, Latvian Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks told VOA in an interview. The Baltic states - together with Slovakia, which ordered out three Russians on Thursday - appeared to be responding to an appeal this week from the Czech Republic for European Union and NATO allies to show solidarity in removing Russian spies. Worked as a journalist on 7 continents and reported from 40+ countries, with postings in London, Wellington, Brussels, Warsaw, Moscow and Berlin. The latest news, analysis, and data from the country each week. Decision-making needs streamlining. One of the most important documents that the EU applied to improve the energy security stance of the Baltic states are European Union climate and energy package, including the Climate and Energy Strategy 2020, that aims to reduce the greenhouse emissions to 20%, increase the energy production from renewables for 20% in overall share and 20% energy efficiency development. In all three countries virtually everyone among the titular nationalities speaks the native tongue as their first language, which is remarkable in light of the massive Russian immigration to the Baltic states during the second half of the 20th century. The Estonians are a Finnic people, which means that they are strongly related to the Finns, as is their language, Estonian. Putin still fumes over the Baltics decision to join NATO, seeing it as a betrayal of Western promises. Low energy supplies, inflationary prices, and an economic collapse in Russia contributed to an energy crisis in the Baltics in the 1990s. [16] This process contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, setting a precedent for the other Soviet republics to secede from the USSR. This reality gives the alliance flexibility with regard to NRFAs terms, she told VOA by email. Artis Pabriks, Latvia's Minister of Defense, tells VOA that if Russia does not like NATO expansion, then Moscow can stop threatening its smaller neighbors. Finland is the standout example of this, with military conscription, extensive training for civilian decision-makers, counter-disinformation training in schools, and regular exercises. Many Estonians are non-religious or atheist. Opportunistic firms in Asia and Europe have already begun to relocate investments to the United States. But even with those reinforcements, NATO forces in the Baltics likely could not defeat a large-scale Russian invasion, Baltic leaders warn. Most Latvians are Christian, mainly belonging to the Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and East Orthodox churches. Which countries are known as the Baltic nations? Why are they - Quora Strack-Zimmermann recalled that back in 2008, when many NATO member states were advocating for Ukraine's early membership, Germany and France remained opposed out of respect for Russia's position. He did not offer details. Estonian soldiers take part in a drill as part of NATO's "Enhance Forward Presence" operation at an army camp near Rakvere on Feb. 6. . The Baltic states[a] or the Baltic countries is a geopolitical term, which currently is used to group three countries: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Baltic states | History, Map, People, Independence, & Facts Even if Moscow holds onto territory, the war has wrecked its future. It therefore makes sense for the senior U.S. officer on the continentthe Supreme Allied Commander Europe, known as SACEURto have the political preauthorization they need to issue orders in circumstances short of war. Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now. Military mobilitythe vital business of moving large numbers of troops and equipmentis patchy too. The Baltic states consist of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Above all, NATO needs exercises. NATO | Founders, History, Purpose, Countries, Map, & Facts By signing up, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to occasionally receive special offers from Foreign Policy. The three Baltic states are also cooperating in joint arms and equipment purchases in order to save money. The default username below has been generated using the first name and last initial on your FP subscriber account. In all three countries simultaneously, rigged elections (in which only pro-Stalinist candidates were allowed to run) were staged in July 1940, the newly assembled "parliaments" in each of the three countries then unanimously applied to join the Soviet Union, and in August 1940 were incorporated into the USSR as the Estonian SSR, Latvian SSR, and Lithuanian SSR. [23], Possible threats to energy security include, firstly, a major risk of energy supply disruption. Although this may give the Kremlin clues about sources, methods, and targeting, the benefits in terms of deterrence, political will, and societal resilience are much greater. Fifteen years ago, NATO opened its doors to the Baltic states. Delivered Monday-Friday. Numerous Swedish loanwords have made it into the Estonian language; it was under the Swedish rule that schools were established and education propagated in the 17th century. Intelligence collection and sharing are hampered by the gulf between NATO and non-NATO members. Baltic states appeal for Nato help after Russia's assault on Ukraine Throughout the course of WWII, all the Baltic States lost significant portions of their populations. It is bordered by Belarus to the south and east, Latvia to the north, Poland to the south, and a part of East Prussia to the southwest, which is now controlled by Russia. About a quarter of Latvias population is nonreligious. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. NEW FOR SUBSCRIBERS: Is the Biden administrations China policy too hawkish? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). All three are today liberal democracies, with unicameral parliaments elected by popular vote for four-year terms: Riigikogu in Estonia, Saeima in Latvia and Seimas in Lithuania. At least formally, most Western democracies never considered the three Baltic states to be constituent parts of the Soviet Union. Its size and location would add crucial heft, but the other countries around the Baltic Sea are privately mistrustful of decision-makers in Berlin. The Baltic Council of Ministers was established on 13 June 1994 to facilitate intergovernmental cooperation. Another factor: the NRFA is not a legally binding document, added Mary Elise Sarotte, a Cold War historian and professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Despite considerable political turmoil in Finland, no such authoritarian figure took power there. This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 15:16. [33][34], The term Baltic stems from the name of the Baltic Sea a hydronym dating back to at least 3rd century B.C. In August 1940, all three Baltic States were made Soviet republics, which meant that they became part of the USSR. the Krecik radar station located about 500 km from Iran, is in service as part of the NATO missile defence system. Polish served a similar function in Lithuania. In the United States this momentous historical decision is commonly framed either as one of the greatest U.S. foreign policy achievements or an ill-advised move that diluted the alliance by taking on indefensible nations. The battle was fought in 1410during the PolishLithuanianTeutonic War. Troops were withdrawn from the region (starting from Lithuania) from August 1993. A RAND study had posited that the Russian military could conquer all three Baltic states quickly using its conventional forces in as little as thirty-six hours, but there are flaws in the. [38][needs update], Since the Middle Ages, the Baltic Sea has appeared on maps in Germanic languages as the equivalent of 'East Sea': German: Ostsee, Danish: stersen, Dutch: Oostzee, Swedish: stersjn, etc. Updates? [15], In the late 1980s, a massive campaign of civil resistance against Soviet rule, known as the Singing revolution, began. The Soviet Union recognized the independence of three Baltic states on 6 September 1991. Although Russian is more widely spoken among older people the vast majority of young people are learning English instead with as many as 80 percent of young Lithuanians professing English proficiency, and similar trends in the other Baltic states. [18] Other exceptions included Sweden, which was the first Western country, and one of the very few to ever do so, to recognize the incorporation of the Baltic states into the Soviet Union as lawful.[19]. Lithuania is the southernmost of the Baltic States. More NATO troops needed from 'Baltic to Black Sea'. Many Baltic leaders hope a permanent NATO presence will be discussed this week when U.S. President Joe Biden visits Brussels, Belgium, for meetings with NATO and other European leaders. Download the new FP mobile app to read anytime, anywhere. Other countries are much later to the party and more cautious in what they sayand thats before you get to the huge problem of Germany. [23] It was stated that from 2008, Baltic states experiences a positive change in their energy security score. It would be good to test that assumption with realistic, hard exercises where decision-makers can practice surmounting the bureaucratic and physical obstacles hampering effectiveness in real time. Stay updated on the topics you care about with email alerts. The financial stability of the Baltic nations was an important prerequisite to their entering the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 2004. The Baltic States would remain Soviet republics of the USSR for more than 40 years. These must include surprises, disruptions, escalations, and hard decision-making, with advanced technology at the forefront. At bases elsewhere in Europe and the United States, 8,500 U.S. military personnel are on heightened alert, ready to deploy to the region as part of NATOs 40,000-strong Response Force. The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. Keep up with the world without stopping yours. One-stop digest of politics, economics, and culture. By David Brennan On 10/15/21 at 7:05 AM EDT. NATO on the Map This is largely due to a Soviet policy of encouraging the mass immigration of Russian workers to the country. Before WWII, Estonians made up 88% of the population, but between 1945 and 1989, their percentage of the population dropped to just 61%. Baltic leaders have long pushed for a permanent basing of U.S. troops, seeing it as the ultimate deterrent against a Russian invasion. The capital and largest city of Estonia is Talinn, which is located on the countrys northern coast, on the Gulf of Finland. "Russia perhaps needs to see this is not an isolated act of a small country of 10 million people (the Czech Republic) but that there is true sense of solidarity across the EU or NATO," he said. "The EU should have less undercover Russian spies," Lithuanian foreign affairs minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told reporters. Soldiers take part in a NATO military exercise in Adazi, Latvia, on Nov. 29, 2021. On the surface, everything looks fine. Apart from the indigenous languages, German was the dominant language in Estonia and Latvia in academics, professional life, and upper society from the 13th century until World War I. [41][42] After World War I, the new sovereign states that emerged on the east coast of the Baltic Sea Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland became known as the Baltic states.

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