The ‘Nordic-Baltic eight’ is gaining
clout as a bulwark of western resolve
Opinion by Paul Taylor
(The Guardian)
“Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden established their regional cooperation format in 1992, after the end of the cold war … The group’s salience has grown in the new geopolitical era of great-power rivalry in which the Arctic, the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea have once again become strategically contested zones.”
—
“In Europe’s evolving power matrix, the Nordic and Baltic allies have the advantage of being stable, like-minded democracies with a broad consensus in support of defence and deterrence against Russia. That will make them dependable partners for the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, at a time when Poland now faces political instability, France has no parliamentary majority and is shackled by debt, and Italy is reluctant to step up defence efforts.”
—
“All eight have linked their armies to the UK and the Netherlands through the Joint Expeditionary Force, maintaining high-readiness forces that are trained to respond rapidly to crises. They are working with Nato to protect vital underwater cables and pipelines from Russian and Chinese sabotage efforts.”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/09/nordic-baltic-eight-europe-western-resolve?CMP
The Nordic-Baltic Eight:
A new security actor?
By Stefan Hedlund - 13. May
(Geopolitical Intelligence Services AG)
“The EU’s inability to deliver on its verbal commitments of support for Ukraine has fostered an unprecedented sense of community between the five Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) and three Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). Just a few years ago, the notion of a Nordic defense union was considered an unattainable dream. Today, past frictions between the three Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway and Sweden) have been set aside, and there is a strong feeling of solidarity with their Baltic neighbors.”
—
“What may be emerging here is a regional bloc of countries firmly united in their support for Ukraine and in their conviction that a decisive defeat for Russia is the only way in which the war may be ended. The informal alignment known as the “Nordic-Baltic Eight” has come together to express a shared concern over the slow response from Brussels in supporting Kyiv. They have been vocal about the sanctions imposed on Russia, which are filled with loopholes, and the support packages for Ukraine that are often so watered down that they lose their impact. They also express frustration at how the EU prevaricates on what to do with the frozen Russian assets, and how it allows Hungary to continue obstructing . …”
https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/nordic-baltic-eight/
German intelligence has evidence Moscow
plans to test NATO’s Article 5
(Reuters | Kyiv Independent | Euromaidan Press)
“Bruno Kahl, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, revealed intelligence showing Russia views its current war as part of a broader strategy, warning that Moscow seeks to “push NATO back to the 1990s borders” and remove American military presence from Europe.”
—
—
Counterpoint: Historian Mark Galeotti
(The Spectator)
“There is the suggestion – most recently coming from the German intelligence service – that Putin might ‘test’ Nato by some kind of deniable ‘little green man’ incursion into a neighbouring country.”
—
"Finland, the Baltic States and Poland today are not Crimea in 2014, though.
Any such expedition would be met with immediate and deadly force.”
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/no-nato-brits-had-not-better-learn-to-speak-russian/
“Ligi 3000 sõdurit lõpetab ajateenistuse.” - Postimees
“Putin’s next target - Estonia.” - The Economist (login required)
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and Vana Tallinn
(EstoNews)
If you find the geopolitical news from Estonia and the Baltic Sea region helpful and informative, consider buying me a cup of coffee or a shot of Vana Tallinn every once in a while to keep me going - visit the PayPal link below. Tänan!
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Laupäeval heisatakse leinalipud
(Postimees)
“14. juunil mälestame kõiki 1941. aasta juuniküüditamise ohvreid. Selle puhul heiskavad Eesti lipu leinalipuna kõik riigi ja kohaliku omavalitsuse asutused ning avalik-õiguslikud juriidilised isikud.”
https://www.postimees.ee/8268420/laupaeval-heisatakse-leinalipud
“84th anniversary of 14. June deportations to be marked across Estonia.” - ERR
President Karis kiitis heaks ettepaneku
lahkuda Ottawa konventsioonist
(ERR)
“Ottawa konventsioonist taganemise seaduse kohaselt taganeb Eesti halvenenud julgeolekuolukorra tõttu jalaväemiinide kasutamist, varumist, tootmist ja üleandmist keelustavast ja nende hävitamist nõudvast lepingust. Konventsioonist lahkumine annab Eesti kaitseväele suurema paindlikkuse ning vabaduse valida relvasüsteeme ja -lahendusi, mida vajadusel kasutada.”
https://www.err.ee/1609721382/president-karis-kiitis-heaks-ettepaneku-lahkuda-ottawa-konventsioonist
When Ukraine’s president wore the Estonian slogan ‘Kaitsetahe’ while speaking to the Estonian parliament
(Little Black Book: Ad and marketing blog)
“In February 2025 … it was a historic act for the people of the Baltic nation, as well as the broader global community that stands with Ukraine. The powerful Estonian phrase roughly translates as ‘will to fight’, which became the theme of the speech Zelenskyy made that day, some of it in Estonian. And putting the sweatshirt on that platform was a surprise even to the people who made it.”
https://lbbonline.com/news/Zelenskyy-and-the-Sweatshirt-That-Strengthened-Estonias-Will-to-Fight
Sofi Oksanen naaseb oma järgmise
romaaniga taas Eesti ja eestlaste radadele
(ERR)
“Eesti päritolu soome kirjaniku Sofi Oksaneni järgmine romaan saab olema neljas ja viimane osa tema Eesti ajaloost rääkivate romaanide seeriast. Tulevane romaan kuulub nelikusse, kuhu kuuluvad "Stalini lehmad" (2003), "Puhastus" (2008) ja "Kui tuvid kadusid" (2012).”
Estonia Sentences Journalist To
Six Years In Prison For Treason
(Barrons | The European Conservative)
“The court found that Svetlana Burceva had worked with a reserve officer of Russia's FSB security service in "activities against the independence and sovereignty" of Estonia. … The court said that she and FSB reserve officer Roman Romachev planned "to publish a variety of writings aimed at implementing the Russian Federation's foreign and security policy activities”. A book they published about hybrid warfare was "a propagandist work that lacks the hallmarks of independent analysis", the court said.”
—
“Kohus mõistis Vene meediale kirjutanud ajakirjaniku süüdi riigireetmises.” - ERR
Pirita rand tõusis 1920. aastatel pealinlaste meeliskuurordiks
(Novaator)
“Tänavu tähistatakse Pirita ranna 100. sünnipäeva, sest sada aastat tagasi hakati sinna teadlikult kujundama kuurortranda. Tallinna linnamuuseumi kuraator Toomas Abilise sõnul oli Pirita plaaž1930. aastate alguseks pealinlaste seas väga populaarne.”
https://novaator.err.ee/1609709325/pirita-rand-tousis-1920-aastatel-pealinlaste-meeliskuurordiks
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“Taastamistööd Tallinna lauluväljakul.” - Postimees
“Palestinian foreign minister visits Estonia.” - ERR
“Vajame Eestit rahuvahendajana - Palestiina minister.” - ERR
“Travel: Plan an island-hopping trip in Estonia.” - Lonely Planet
“Viking Line predicts another record summer for travel to Estonia.”
“History: 15. June 1940, the Red Army began the annexation of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.” - The Guardian
“Uuring: aina rohkem inimesi ei suuda Tallinnasse kodu osta.” - ERR
“More and more people cannot afford to buy a home in Tallinn.” - ERR
“Estonia to allocate additional EUR 97 mln for road construction.” - Baltic Times
“Phone scammers now speaking in native-level Estonian.” - ERR
“E-scooter safety concerns grow in Estonia amid age and license rule debates.” - ERR
“Estonian Puppet and Stop-Motion Animation ‘May Not Be Mainstream, but It’s Still Thriving’.” - Variety
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Around the Baltic Sea
‘This has to happen in the next 5–10 years’ - NATO scrambles to lock in ‘new’ defense plans
(Meduza)
“A senior NATO official told journalists that the operational plans for deterrence and defense across Europe are a new step for the alliance, as such plans in the past have always focused on operations in other regions. The capability targets, he explained, have been apportioned according to each country’s role in the operational plans. “This is a historic landmark in the rebuilding of our collective capability to deter and defend the Alliance against all threats,” the official said.”
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/06/06/this-has-to-happen-in-the-next-5-10-years
Russia's military plan on the western border – the perfect strategy, or just a ‘Potemkin village’
By Erkki Koort
(Postimees)
“Information has now been published in the media indicating that Russia is establishing new military bases near the Finnish border and renovating old ones. There is no doubt that this is true, but it is important to consider the context – why Russia is doing this and why it is happening right now.”
—
“Satellite images of the area show a greater presence of military equipment than before. This may be partially true, but we shouldn't let it get us down. First, the Russians are very skilled in the use of all sorts of decoys – it's in their blood – and the expressions «Potemkin village» and «painting the grass green» should come as no surprise to us. … In four, five, or even six years, the Russian army will not have the same amounts of weaponry it had just three years ago.”
—
“Before Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk Oblast in August 2024, the Russian leadership was relatively confident that they could commit all their resources to capturing Kyiv, believing no one would dare attack Russia. It became clear, however, that (Ukraine’s) military occupation on Russian soil is possible without a nuclear war.”
“Venemaa kaks strateegilist pommitajat tegid planeeritud lennu Läänemere neutraalsete vete kohal.” - ERR
“Why Joseph Stalin’s blood-soaked reputation is being restored in today’s Russia.” - Novaya Gazeta
Finnish Navy to host Nato exercise
on unmanned systems in June
(Yle)
“… amid anticpated calls from Nato's leadership for a dramatic increase in collective defence capabilities. The operations will be conducted in maritime areas west of the Porkkala peninsula, extending down to waters off Hanko, with the Finnish Navy monitoring the designated zones. Training in Finland's shallow, archipelagic coastal environment is seen as an opportunity to improve the development of systems suited to the challenging conditions of the Baltic Sea.”
“Latvian armed forces to establish a 'Ranger' (Reindžers) sub-unit.” - LSM
“Finland suspects another breach of airspace occurred last month.” - Yle
“Finland summons Russian official over suspected airspace violation.” - Yle
“Vene sõjalennuk rikkus ilmselt Soome õhupiiri.” - Postimees
“Baltics need to show strength to deter Russia, says Estonian president.” - LRT
“Asi: vangide Eestisse toomine paneb prokuratuurile lisakoormuse.” - ERR
“61 dead seals have been found along Lithuania's Baltic Sea coast.” - LRT
“For Poland, There Is No Plan B.” - National Interest
Denmark votes for defence bill
giving U.S. access to its airbases
(AP | The Guardian)
“Ninety-four lawmakers voted for the bill, with 11 against. The legislation now goes to Danish King Frederik X for his signature. … The deal, which has been strongly criticised by politicians and human rights experts, means US soldiers in Denmark will remain under US jurisdiction. It gives US soldiers access to Danish airbases in three Danish cities – Karup, Skrydstrup and Aalborg – and grants American soldiers and military police powers over Danish civilians at these locations and outside them.”
—
“Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, in a response to lawmakers’ questions, wrote that Denmark would be able to terminate the agreement if the U.S. tries to annex all or part of Greenland.”
—
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/11/denmark-vote-defence-bill-us-airbases
Belarus Downsizes Zapad-2025
to Reduce Escalation Risks
(Jamestown Org.)
“Belarus has announced a significant downsizing and relocation of the Zapad-2025 joint military exercises with Russia in an apparent effort to reduce tensions with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The reduced scale of the exercises brings them below international thresholds that require prior notification and international observation, yet Minsk has pledged to do both.”
https://jamestown.org/program/belarus-downsizes-zapad-2025-to-reduce-escalation-risks/
Propaganda: Moscow claims it will end war in
Ukraine after NATO pulls out of Baltic states
(LRT)
“… Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS. In an excerpt quoted by Newsweek on Monday, Ryabkov claimed the so-called root cause of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine was NATO’s expansion to the east. … The official responsible for talks with the United States has seemingly returned to the Kremlin’s pre-2022 ultimatum for NATO to withdraw to its 1997 borders.”
“Zelenskyy: Russia is simply lying to the U.S. President.” - Politico
Ukraine
How Russia Prepared Crimea
and Donetsk for Attack
By Kateryna Odarchenko
(CEPA)
“Long before tanks crossed borders, Russia was laying the groundwork to weaken Ukrainian sovereignty and build pro-Russian sentiment in Donbas and Crimea.”
—
“Tensions over Crimea escalated almost immediately after Ukraine’s popular vote for independence in 1991 (Some 92% of Ukrainians endorsed this, although the figure was little more than 50% in Crimea.) Regardless, the Russian political elite never fully accepted the end of Moscow’s rule, first imposed by Catherine the Great, who seized it from the Ottomans in the late 18th century.”
https://cepa.org/article/how-russia-prepared-crimea-and-donetsk-for-attack/
Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web tore apart the old idea that bases far behind Russia’s front lines are safe
By Benjamin Jensen
(The Conversation)
“A series of blasts at airbases deep inside Russia on June 1, 2025, came as a rude awakening to Moscow’s military strategists. The Ukrainian strike at the heart Russia’s strategic bombing capability could also upend the traditional rules of war: It provides a smaller military a blueprint for countering a larger nation’s ability to launch airstrikes from deep behind the front lines. Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web involved 117 remote-controlled drones that were smuggled into Russia over an 18-month period and launched toward parked aircraft by operators miles away.”
—
“Beyond the physical and financial damage to Russia’s fleet, Ukraine’s operation also comes with a potent psychological effect. It signals that Ukraine, more than three years into a war aimed at grinding down morale, is able to launch sophisticated operations deep into Russian territory.”
“Estonian PM on Russian losses: Human life has no value for Putin.” - Ukrainska Pravda
“Russia pounds Ukraine's Kyiv, Odesa with drones, missiles, hits maternity hospital.” - Radio Poland
“See the aftermath of Russia’s biggest strike of the war on Kharkiv.” - Meduza
“U.S. Joint Chiefs chair says Putin won’t stop at Ukraine.” - The Hill
“Ukraina sai Venemaalt tagasi 1212 sõduri surnukehad.” - ERR
“Russia struck maternity hospital in huge overnight attack.” - Politico Europe
“Investigation Uncovers Telegram's Potential Links to Russia's FSB.” - The Moscow Times
“Belarusian hospitals have quietly treated Russian soldiers wounded in Ukraine.” - Meduza
A generation of fake Soviets is being
raised before our very eyes
(Postimees)
“Russian propaganda is exploiting Soviet nostalgia.”
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