Baltic PMs discuss beefing up NATO deterrence, tightening sanctions against Russia

VILNIUS - Prime Ministers Ingrida Simonyte of Lithuania, Evika Silina of Latvia and Kristen Michal of Estonia discussed bolstering NATO's deterrence and tightening sanctions against Russia at their informal meeting in Klaipeda and Palanga over the weekend.

The three Baltic prime ministers "gave significant attention to regional security, noting the need to further strengthen NATO's deterrence and defense posture, particularly forward defense on the eastern flank, through close cooperation with Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as leaders of the forward presence groups in the Baltic states," the Lithuanian government's Communications Department said in a press release. 

"I am pleased that my colleagues and I were able to exchange insights on how we can collaborate to strengthen defense and deterrence, accelerate energy independence, help Ukraine win the war of attrition, shape the future of the European Union, and work together on other issues of relevance to our countries," it quoted Simonyte as saying.

She said the Baltic countries should urge all EU member states to increase defense spending, tighten sanctions against Russia and its allies, continue supporting Ukraine, and rally efforts to accelerate the Euro-Atlantic integration of both Ukraine and Moldova.

The discussions also covered transport and energy cooperation, synchronization with the continental European power system, progress on the Via Baltica and Rail Baltica projects, enhancing the protection of critical infrastructure, and the need for increased military mobility funding.

As part of the meeting, the prime ministers visited Independence, the Baltics' first floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), and toured the Coast Guard's Kopgalis Border Surveillance Centre, the Baltic Sea Animal Rehabilitation Centre, the Maritime Museum, Vente Cape, and other Lithuanian coastal landmarks, according to the press release.

The Baltic prime ministers had last met in Vilnius in May.