The Diplomat
The Spanish government has expressed its “full solidarity” with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in the face of “the campaign of intimidation and disinformation” launched by Russia, which included “threats of the use of force” against Latvia during the United Nations Security Council session on May 19.
“These acts of disinformation and the repeated drone incursions into the airspace of the Baltic states are condemnable provocations that only seek to increase tension in the region,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release on Thursday.
“Spain reiterates its firm commitment to the security of every EU member and NATO ally, as well as its support for Ukraine in defending its sovereignty and in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,” it continued.
Lithuania’s Defense Ministry announced Wednesday morning that authorities had issued an airspace alert for parts of the country after detecting a drone approaching from Belarus near the border. The armed forces activated NATO’s air surveillance mission, and warnings were issued to the public to seek shelter. The incident occurred a day after NATO shot down what was suspected to be a stray Ukrainian drone over Estonia.
Latvia also refuted the statement issued on May 19 by the Russian Federation’s Foreign Intelligence Service, which it said was based on “false claims previously made by Russia.” Latvia insisted that it has not consented to its territory and airspace being used to carry out attacks against targets in the Russian Federation; however, it stated, “the Russian side continues to spread lies and make statements that incite escalation.”
For its part, the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament (comprised of the leaders of the parliamentary groups) issued a statement on Thursday expressing its “full solidarity” with the Baltic states following the recent incursions into their airspace, and urging the bloc to remain “united and vigilant” in the face of “attempts to destabilize its environment, undermine European security, and divide member states.”
The Conference of Presidents “strongly” rejected Russia’s “unfounded and dangerous” accusations, including “claims that the Baltic states are preparing hostile actions against Russia or allowing their territory, airspace, or military installations to be used for attacks against Russia.”
These accusations, the parliamentary group leaders noted, “are part of a broader pattern of intimidation, disinformation, and provocation directed against EU member states.”
They added that these actions “are particularly serious in light of the repeated incursions of unidentified drones into the airspace and territory of the Baltic States.” Such actions, the text states, “are unacceptable and contribute to increased tensions and instability in the region.”
In this regard, they expressed their “full solidarity” with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and reiterated that “no EU Member State can be threatened, intimidated, or subjected to coercive pressure by Russia.” The security of the Baltic States, they noted, “is the security of the European Union as a whole.”
Therefore, they called on the Commission, the EU High Representative (Kaja Kallas), and the Council to continue supporting the three countries, in coordination with NATO, in strengthening airspace surveillance, counter-drone capabilities, and situational awareness, as well as in reinforcing their capacity “to prevent and respond to further incursions.”
They also urged the EU to “continue combating disinformation with stronger strategic communication,” as well as to mobilize EU resources to protect the eastern flank and reject fake news “that threatens European democracy and security.”
