Via Baltica

President Gitanas Nauseda of #Lithuania sees no point in any talks with Vladimir #Putin before #Russia demonstrates that it wants to end the #war in #Ukraine. Meanwhile, visiting President Alexander Stubb of #Finland insisted that European leaders should speak directly with Russia.

https://viabaltica.fi/lithuania-no-point-in-talks-with-russia-president/

In #Latvia, the #opposition National Alliance and United List have reached a preliminary agreement with the Union of Greens and Farmers to cooperate in forming a new #government. However, the three political groups are 10 MPs short of a majority in #parliament.

https://viabaltica.fi/latvia-three-parties-agree-on-coalition-talks/

The national transmission system operator of #Estonia, Elering, has postponed plans to build a fourth #electricity interconnection with #Latvia until after 2038. Earlier, Elering postponed a decision on the construction of a third undersea electricity connection to #Finland.

https://viabaltica.fi/estonia-plan-for-fourth-power-cable-to-latvia-postponed/

President Alexander Stubb of #Finland is paying a two-day state visit to #Lithuania. The visit will focus on bilateral relations, #defence and #technology cooperation, and Russia's war of aggression in #Ukraine.

https://viabaltica.fi/lithuania-finnish-president-on-two-day-state-visit/

The incumbent president of #Estonia, Alar Karis, is overwhelmingly the most popular person for next #president, according to a new #poll. The #survey shows that 39% of respondents support Karis and that 67% would support him serving a second term in office.

https://viabaltica.fi/estonia-incumbent-most-popular-choice-for-president-poll/

The #Baltic States, #Poland, and #Romania have expressed readiness to host more US #troops. Earlier, US President Donald #Trump announced that he would withdraw 5,000 or more US military personnel from #Germany.

https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-baltics-ready-to-host-more-us-troops/

In #Latvia, the social-democratic Progressives have withdrawn their support for the country's current coalition #government. Earlier, PM Evika Silina, leader of the ruling New Unity party, forced the resignation of #Defence Minister Andris Spruds of the Progressives, citing loss of trust.

https://viabaltica.fi/latvia-progressives-calls-for-new-government/

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that #drones which recently crashed in #Latvia came from #Ukraine and that #Russia had diverted the drones from their targets. He said that Ukraine was ready to send specialists to the #Baltic States and #Finland to prevent such incidents.

https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-ukraine-ready-to-help-prevent-drone-incidents/

#Estonia has signed an agreement to buy three more #Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers from Hanwha Aerospace of #SouthKorea. Earlier, Estonia procured six #MLRS systems from the company for EUR 290mn.

https://viabaltica.fi/estonia-more-rocket-launchers-bought-from-south-korea/

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna of #Estonia and President Gitanas Nauseda of #Lithuania were by far the most visible #Baltic politicians in Western #media in 2025. The #survey looked at mentions of Baltic presidents, PMs, foreign ministers, and #defence ministers in US, UK, German, and French media.

https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-estonian-lithuanian-leaders-eclipse-latvian-leaders-in-western-media/

The number of multinational #corporations in the #Baltic States was highest in #Estonia in 2024, according to #Eurostat data. Estonia had 1,199 #multinationals, while #Lithuania had 984 and #Latvia just 746.

https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-number-of-multinationals-highest-in-estonia/

#President Alar Karis of #Estonia said that he would indicate by July 2026 if he wants to run for a second term in office. #Opposition parties have voiced support for Karis, whereas PM Kristen Michal has stated that Karis did not have enough support in #parliament to be reelected.

https://viabaltica.fi/estonia-president-still-silent-on-second-term/

Over 500 experts and decision-makers from across the #Baltic Sea region will attend the annual EU Strategy for the #BalticSea Region (EUSBSR) #conference in #Tallinn, capital of #Estonia, on 11-13 May 2026. The central theme of this year's forum is #resilience.

https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-eu-conference-on-baltic-sea-region-in-tallinn/

Latvia's Central Election Commission has registered a signature campaign to hold a popular #referendum on changing the country's #pension system. The campaign, which is very unlikely to succeed, was initiated by the populist #opposition party, #Latvia First.

https://viabaltica.fi/latvia-populist-party-pushes-pension-reform-referendum/

Authorities in the #Baltic States of #Estonia, #Latvia, and #Lithuania are preparing for possible provocations on 9 May 2026, when #Russians celebrate the #Soviet Union's victory in #WW2 and #occupation of central and eastern #Europe. #Police are ready to respond to violations of public order.

https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-authorities-ready-for-russias-victory-cult-day/

Latvian PM Evika Silina sharply criticised #Defence Minister Andris Spruds after #drones from #Russia crashed in eastern #Latvia. Silina pointed to the lack of timely warning to local residents about the incoming drones. #Opposition parties plan a vote of no confidence in the minister.

https://viabaltica.fi/latvia-pm-pans-defence-minister-after-drone-incidents/

#Lithuanians tend to #work the least in the entire EU during weekends, according to #Eurostat data. The share of #employees who usually work on weekends was just 3.0% in #Lithuania in 2025, compared to 12.5% in #Estonia and 16.5% in #Latvia. The EU average was 18.5%.

https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-lithuanians-work-least-on-weekends/

The #prison population per capita in the #Baltic States was the highest in #Latvia in 2024, according to #Eurostat data. Meanwhile, the prison occupancy rate in #Estonia was the lowest in the entire EU.

https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-prison-population-highest-in-latvia/

The #poverty risk for #children in the #Baltic States was highest in #Lithuania, yet clearly below the EU average, in 2025, #Eurostat reported. Meanwhile, the poverty risk in #households with no children was much higher than the EU average in all three Baltic States.

https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-poverty-risk-for-children-highest-in-lithuania-in-2025/

Estonia ranked highest in the #Baltic States on the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World #Press #Freedom Index in 2026. #Estonia ranked 3rd on the global index, followed by #Lithuania in 15th and #Latvia in 17th place.

https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-estonia-best-on-press-freedom-in-2026/

Officials in #Lithuania have arrested nine people accused of planning murders and #sabotage across #Europe for Russia's #military #intelligence service, #GRU. Authorities said that the network had targeted several people who had supported #Ukraine or worked against #Russia.

https://viabaltica.fi/lithuania-russian-assassination-plot-foiled/

The foreign ministers of the #Nordic #Baltic Eight expressed support for full #EU and #NATO membership for #Ukraine. The #NB8 ministers stressed that #Russia remained the biggest threat to Euro-Atlantic #security and vowed not to revise relations with #Belarus.

https://viabaltica.fi/baltic-nordic-baltic-ministers-back-ukraines-eu-nato-entry/

Latvia's SmartLynx Airlines has filed for insolvency. The #ACMI operator's liabilities total EUR 238mn, including EUR 170mn to Lithuania's Avia Solutions Group. SmartLynx, which was established in 1992, stopped operations in late November 2025.

https://viabaltica.fi/latvia-smartlynx-airlines-files-for-insolvency/