Baltic States

Lithuania’s former chief of defence tells bne IntelliNews: “Several key questions need to be answered”

bne IntelliNews March 27, 2025

The four American troops who went missing during an exercise at the Pabrade training area in Lithuania on March 25 are presumably dead, and their vehicle has been found in a swamp.

Four American soldiers missing after exercise in Lithuania found dead in swamp

bne IntelliNews March 26, 2025

The four American troops who went missing during an exercise at the Pabrade training area in Lithuania on March 25 are dead, and their vehicle has been found in a swamp.

Latvia faces scrutiny over massive heroin shipment to Germany

bne IntelliNews March 25, 2025

On March 23, Latvian Television’s investigative programme De facto reported on how a massive heroin shipment managed to pass through Latvia en route to Germany, despite prior intelligence warning of such an operation.

COMMENT: Is the EU going to fall apart?

Ben Aris in Berlin March 21, 2025

Is the EU about to break apart under the stress of taking over the full weight of supporting Ukraine, the need to rearm and the hundreds of billions that must be invested if it is to become competitive again?

Lithuania links Russian intelligence to arson attacks in Vilnius and Warsaw

bne IntelliNews March 18, 2025

Lithuanian prosecutors have accused Russian military intelligence of orchestrating an arson attack on an IKEA store in Vilnius in May, the Prosecutor General's Office said on 17 March.

EU to soften gas storage rules to avoid price spikes

bne IntelliNews March 17, 2025

EU member states are considering softening the bloc’s binding gas storage targets in order to avoid sending gas prices soaring again ahead of what is anticipated to be a difficult year.

Estonia’s Social Democrats kicked out of government

bne IntelliNews March 11, 2025

Current ruling coalition continues as a two-party government with Reform and Eesti 200 holding a narrow majority of 52 seats in the parliament.

EU countries weigh costs of planned military buildup

bne IntelliNews March 7, 2025

What we know so far about EU member states’ plans to hike defence spending in face of "existential challenge" from Russia, and how this will be financed.

EU leaders back defence spending boost, pledge support for Ukraine

bne IntelliNews March 6, 2025

EU leaders unanimously agree to ramp up defence spending at emergency summit, but Hungary refuses to endorse statement on support for Ukraine.

EU Council president says leaders “here to take decisions” as he arrives at Brussels summit

bne IntelliNews March 6, 2025

EU leaders to discuss support for Ukraine and strengthening of Europe’s defence capabilities in response to the sudden change in the geopolitical situation.

Fears Russia-friendly EU members to undermine ‘five to midnight’ summit

bne IntelliNews March 6, 2025

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban indicated ahead of the crucial summit that he might veto additional support for Ukraine.

Can Emerging European countries afford to rearm?

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow March 2, 2025

As European countries face a pressing need to rearm amid fears the US may pull back from its security commitments, an EBRD report shows higher defence spending is already putting pressure on public finances.

EBRD lowers 2025 forecasts citing subdued global growth and trade fragmentation

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow February 27, 2025

Weaker external demand and potential impact of Trump tariffs weigh on Emerging Europe, Central Asia and Semed regions, with growth now projected at 3.2%.

Chinese threat to submarine cables emerges in Indo-Pacific

bno Chennai bureau February 27, 2025

Taiwan's coast guard detained the Hong Tai 168, a Chinese-owned freighter, on suspicion of severing an undersea communications cable off its western coast. The incident is suspected to be part of China's "grey zone" tactics.

Relief in Emerging Europe at AfD’s election defeat, but concern over party's gains

bne IntelliNews February 24, 2025

Mainstream politicians across Central and Southeast Europe have expressed relief at the outcome of Germany's general election, which saw the far-right Alternative for Germany make gains but ultimately fall short of securing victory.

Potential US troop withdrawal from Europe to leave Kosovo exposed

bne IntelliNews February 20, 2025

Fears US may consider withdrawing its troops from Europe, including Kosovo, if Trump and Putin reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

Iraqi migrants face trial in Russia after EU-border jump to Latvia

bnm Gulf bureau February 13, 2025

Twenty-three men from Iraq's Kurdistan Region are awaiting trial in Russia following their detention at European Union borders, with one illegal migrant reportedly dying in custody.

Kaliningrad becomes an energy island after Baltic States cut Russian grid connection

Ben Aris in Berlin February 10, 2025

The Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea has become an energy island after the Baltics States cut themselves off from the Soviet-era BRELL power grid on February 8, thus becoming vulnerable to sanctions.

Europe's economic woes made worse by looming trade war with US, says Goldman Sachs

Ben Aris in Berlin February 7, 2025

Cyclical industries across Europe are in danger from the economic slowdown sweeping Europe, Goldman Sachs warned in a note on February 4. They were already reeling from years of a polycrisis, but now President Trump is threatening a trade war.

“Unchained” Trump is main risk to broadly positive Emerging Europe growth prospects

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow February 4, 2025

Steep US tariffs on the EU or a sudden cut in support for Ukraine are the major downside risks for the region, says new wiiw report.

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