European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has issued a strong statement condemning Russian threats against the Baltic states, calling them “completely unacceptable” and warning that an attack on one member state is a threat to the entire European Union.
“Russia and Belarus bear direct responsibility for drones endangering the lives and security of people on our Eastern flank,” von der Leyen said. “Europe will respond with unity and strength. We will continue reinforcing the security of our Eastern flank with strong collective defence and preparedness at every level.”
The statement came after Lithuania’s president and prime minister were rushed to underground bunkers and residents of Vilnius were urged to take shelter during a drone airspace violation. Air and train traffic in the capital was suspended for the first such alert in an EU and NATO country since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this week, a NATO fighter jet shot down a suspected stray Ukrainian drone over Estonia. Several EU and NATO leaders, including Secretary General Mark Rutte and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, have warned of Russia’s increasingly assertive posture towards the Baltics.
Separately, Finnish Customs said three Finnish citizens are suspected of exporting 135 trucks and 29 trailers worth €17.5 million to Russia in violation of sanctions. The company’s owner and two employees face aggravated regulation offences, with one held in pretrial detention since March.
