EU: The Baltic countries have successfully connected to the European grid, after decoupling from Russia. “We are cutting the last ties with Russia”
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The connection of the Baltic states to the European electricity grid, after their decoupling from the Russian grid, frees the European Union from “threats and blackmail”, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed in Vilnius on Sunday, according to AFP, writes Agerpres.
“Today we connect the Baltic states to the electricity grid of continental Europe. We are cutting the last links with Russia. We are finally free from threats and blackmail. It is a historic day!”, she said on the X platform.
“A few moments ago we received important news. The synchronization of the Baltic states’ electricity system with that of continental Europe has been successfully completed,” declared the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda.
He spoke alongside his Estonian and Latvian counterparts, as well as the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of Poland at a press conference in the Lithuanian capital.
Former Soviet republics Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia – now members of the European Union and NATO – have been pushing for this change since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Ardent supporters of Ukraine, they have sought to avoid becoming an object of blackmail from Russia over their electricity supplies.
“This is a historic moment that marks the end of a long journey. We have achieved full energy independence. The period of political pressure and blackmail is finally over,” Nauseda added.
The Baltic countries have been integrated into the European grid through Poland.
In total, 1.6 billion euros, mainly from European funds, have been invested in this project.
Nauseda called for “substantial action at the European Union level” to improve the Baltic states’ critical infrastructure.
“It is time to secure our assets. Russia’s war against Ukraine has radically transformed the perception of threats to critical infrastructure in Europe,” he said.
“The recent incidents involving underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea are very worrying. And they require firm action,” the Lithuanian president continued.
Several submarine telecommunications and energy cables have been severed in the Baltic Sea in recent months.
Some experts and politicians have accused Russia of waging a “hybrid war” against the West, particularly by unconventionally targeting energy supplies, a charge Moscow denies.
