The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have called for unity over the Ukraine crisis and tensions with Russia. At a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Thursday in Berlin, the leaders of the three EU and NATO countries also called for a strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank and a stronger role for Germany in resolving the conflict.
“It is of crucial importance that we strengthen NATO’s eastern flank,” said the Lithuanian President Gitana’s Nauseda. “Our alliance must be able to respond quickly and respond decisively in the region.”
Estonian Prime Minister Kaya Kallas called on the EU and NATO to show “unity, determination and strategic patience”. Any sign of disagreement and lack of resolve could send the wrong signal to Russia, she said.
Latvia’s Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins stressed that the EU and NATO must “argue from a position of strength”. Germany’s role in this is of “fundamental importance”. It is “very necessary” for Germany to take a leading role in guiding the EU and NATO member states through these difficult times, said Karins.
All three Baltic states border Russia, Latvia and Lithuania as well as Russia’s ally Belarus.