Royal Danish Embassy
T. Kosciuskos 36, LT-01100 Vilnius
Tel: +370 (5) 264 8768
Mob: +370 6995 7760
Fax: +370 (5) 231 2300
The Defence Attaché To
Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
Newsletter for the Baltics
Week 9
2015
The following information is gathered from open sources, mainly from the Baltic News Service
(BNS), respective defence ministries press releases and websites as well as various
newspapers, etc.
THE BALTICS
Delegation from the Danish Parliament conduct visits to the Baltic countries
Members of the Danish Parliament's Defence Committee and Permanent Delegation to NATO's
Parliamentary Assembly shall conduct visits to Lithuania on 2–3 March 2015, Latvia on the 3– 4
March 2015 and Estonia on 4–6 March 2015.
The main objective of the visits is to discuss the changed security situation in the Baltic region.
Therefore, the Danish delegation shall meet with a number of representatives from the
Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian states and armed forces.
BALTICS AND RUSSIA/UKRAINE
Countries bordering Russia many need special NATO forces - Lithuanian Policy Director
On 26 February Lithuanian Defence Political Director Vaidotas Urbelis said the Russian
aggression in Ukraine has shown that countries bordering Russia may need special forces.
“Up until now, our defence strategy was based on the principle that all NATO forces may be redeployable and capable of fighting in any part of the world. The Russian aggression in Ukraine
has made it clear that countries bordering Russia may need forces reflecting local needs”
He said NATO must change its attitude towards re-deployable forces and should revise the
NATO command structure and reinforce itand emphasized that the NATO command structure
should have full mandate to be able to lead a large-scale military operation.
Russian paratroopers conduct exercises near Latvian and Estonian borders
On 25 February, up to 2.000 Russian paratroopers participated in a number of exercises in the
western Pskov region near the Latvian and Estonian borders. Russian Ministry of Defence
spokesperson, Irina Kruglova, informed that the drill involves 500 units of equipment and
approximately 1.500 soldiers parachuting on to, and capturing, a fictional enemy airfield.
Simultaneously, NATO patrol aircraft detected two Russian Armed Forces transport airplanes
near Latvian territorial waters. This is the twelfth time in 2015 so far.
Increasing number of European ministers worried about Russian pressure on the Baltics
On 24 February, the Swedish Defence Minister, Peter Hultqvist, speculated that a scenario
similar to the annexation of Crimea, but in the Baltics, would have far-reaching consequences
for the whole of Europe. “A crisis in the region will not be a problem influencing just one or two
countries. I think it would influence many countries, especially those around the Baltic Sea,”
Hultqvist elaborated.
On 25 February, British Prime Minister, David Cameron, expressed similar concerns to the
house of Commons Communications Committee. He noted that if Russia is not stopped in
Ukraine now, it could turn against Moldova or the Baltic States.
2
Lithuanian Foreign Minister urges US administration to back weapons support to Ukraine
At a meeting in Washington with US President's senior adviser for European affairs Charles
Kupchan, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius discussed the nearest Allied actions in
response to the violations of the Minsk accords and urged the US administration to support
provision of weapons support to Ukraine, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said on 25 February.
“It is not escalation of a conflict, quite the opposite – idleness of the West leads to faster
success of the Russian military scenario. We should not contribute to the implementation of
the scenario” the Foreign Minister said. He emphasized that the situation further deteriorates,
and the aggression in Debaltseve drew no response from the Western world.
Latvian Prime Minister against military involvement in
Ukraine
On 24 February Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota
Straujuma dismissed the possibilities of western
military involvement in western Ukraine. “Nobody is
ready to start World War III. Germany is especially
cautious. Thus, it is most important to negotiate and
achieve an agreement” the Prime Minister said.
Probed whether she supported supplying the Ukrainian Army with weapons, Straujuma
cautiously noted that it depends on the implementation of the Minsk-agreements. In her
opinion an implementation of the truce should be the top priority, as the European sanctions
against a number of individuals were working well. Implementation of further sanctions could
become relevant and in extreme cases, denying Russia access to SWIFT banking systems.
BALTICS AND EXERCISES
Latvia hosts joint military exercise
From 21-27 February, the Latvian Adazi military
base will host a joint winter exercise involving
Latvian, American, and Canadian troops. The
exercise is designed to test soldiers’ mobility in the
field, their ability to maintain equipment, and their
capabilities in providing first aid under challenging
weather conditions. Besides participating in this
exercise, the US Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment has
been continuously engaged in exchanging knowledge with its European partners, since it took
over responsibility for Operation Atlantic Resolve in December.
3
LITHUANIA
Lithuania mulling military education at school
On 26 February Lithuanian Education and Science Minister Dainius Pavalkis expressed that
elective military education classes should be introduced in Lithuanian schools next year.
“I don’t think that it would be like during the Soviet times when schoolchildren used to
dismantle rifles or similar things. (…) But the segment of patriotic education, informational
awareness, civic education must clearly be strengthened and we are taking these steps. The
secondary education programs should include basic military education classes as an alternative
to the third physical education class or history class. At least that's the proposal of a special
panel but no decisions have been made yet,” said Pavalkis.
Classes could be delivered by national defence volunteers: A survey of 657 schoolchildren from
upper classes (Year 8-12) last December and January showed that two thirds of them lacked
information about the country's security, national defence or army.
Lithuania plans to restore conscription
Lithuania plans to restore conscription in the fall in the wake of growing threat from Russia,
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said on 24 February. “We must restore the mandatory
military service temporarily over the period of the next five years” said the President. The State
Defence Council suggests inviting around 3.500 young men every year to undergo nine-monthlong training. The plan still needs the Seimas' approval.
Conscription was ended in Lithuania in 2008.
Defence Minister signs deal on NATO international
headquarters in Lithuania
Lithuanian Defence Minister Juozas Olekas on 23
February endorsed an agreement of the SHAPE and
ACT laying down the legal status of NATO elements of
control and command in Lithuania.
A NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) with a staff of
roughly 40 representatives from various NATO Allies
and a similar number of Lithuanian members will be
opened in Lithuania this year. The NFIU will be arranging exercises for Allied forces deployed in
Lithuania and ensuring communication between the forces and NATO operational
headquarters.
Signed by the defence minister, the document now will be forwarded for endorsement by the
other parties – Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and Allied Command
Transformation. The Lithuanian parliament will have to ratify the agreement.
4
LATVIA
Vejonis calls for common European strategy to counter hybrid-warfare
During a meeting of the Saeima’s European Affairs Committee last week, Defence Minister
Raimonds Vejonis discussed the challenges from hybrid-warfare facing Europe. Vejonis stressed
the need for consensus about the threats posed by hybrid-warfare on the coming European
Council meeting in June. According to him, countries are now offering their separate takes on
how to react to threats of hybrid-warfare, but there is an urgent need for a common policy. The
European Council should thus task the Commission and individual member states with
reviewing the current security strategy and draft new proposal on how to tackle hybridwarfare in the future.
The Dutch Chief of Defence conducts a visit
to Latvia
On 25 February the Chief of Defence of the
Armed Forces of the Netherlands, Gen Tom
Middendorp, visited Latvia. Middendorp met
with Latvian Minister of Defence, Raimonds
Vejonis, and Chief of Defence, Lt Gen
Raimonds Graube, to discuss the recent
developments in the regional security
situation along with plans for future bilateral
cooperation. Middendorp also visited the Joint Headquarters of the Latvian Armed Forces,
where he was briefed on the plans for developing the Latvian Armed Forces, and the
development priorities given the recent escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. Lastly, Lt Gen
Graube, informed Middendorp of the planned national and international exercises in Latvia, as
Dutch participation in these might play a part in the further bilateral cooperation of the
countries.
Vejonis orders creation of army reserves
Latvian Minister of Defence, Raimonds Vejonis, has ordered the creation of an embedded
reserve system in the Latvian National Armed Forces. The Minister cited the military instability
in the region and it possible prolongation as the main reason for establishing army reserves.
Representatives at the Ministry of Defence told Latvijas Avize that the work will initially focus
on analysing the appropriate size and model for the reserve force.
5
Renewed agreement on enlargement of Latvian Armed Forces
President Andris Berzins has confirmed that he agrees with Defence Minister Vejonis on
ensuring an adequate number of servicemen in the Latvian Armed Forces. Contrary to his
earlier statements, Berzins has ensured Vejonis that he supports increasing the number of
soldiers. This change of attitude came after the President met with Vejonis earlier this week.
Similarly, Foreign Minister, Edgars Rinkevics, has also come out in support of the possible
enlargement, though adding that an improvement of the capabilities of the existing force
would prove more effective. He also commented that improving capabilities is preferable to a
re-introduction of mandatory military conscription.
Armed Forces development plans may influence business sector says Vejonis
Latvia’s planned development of its Armed Forces could have a positive impact on the Latvian
business sector, according to Defence Minister Vejonis. The Minister specifically wants Latvian
businesses to produce ammunition and sew uniforms for the Latvian Armed Forces. However,
these plans solely depend on local entrepreneurs setting up such plants, as the state will not
engage in this part of the process. Vejonis furthermore added that Latvian ammunition
productions could supply the entire Baltic region, and that the maintenance of incoming
military equipment could also become a future business opportunity.
Latvian security agency on highest level of alert for more than a year
Latvia’s top national security agency, The Constitutional Protection Bureau (SAB), has been on
heightened alert for over a year due to the crisis in Ukraine, SAB Chief Janis Maizitis informed
on Tuesday. After a meeting with President Berzins, Maizitis told journalists that “We have
been operating on an entirely different level of intensity for more than a year because, after all,
there is a war going on not far from our borders. We are a NATO member state. Everyone, both
inside and outside Latvia, should remember this. It means guarantees and obligations.” The
remarks were made after a scheduled meeting between the President and both SAB, the
Military Intelligence Service, and the Security Service.
ESTONIA
Russian government committee approves bill of border treaty with Estonia
On 25 February the Russian Government’s Legislation Committee approved the bill submitted
by the country’s Foreign Ministry regarding the border treaty between Estonia and Russia.
Among other things, the treaty determines the border’s location in the Bay of Narva and the
Gulf of Finland. The Estonian parliament began the ratification of the treaty in April last year,
but further ratification process depends on the speed and course of Russia’s ratification of the
bill.
6
Members of Estonian defence forces to take
part in Baltic military winter games
A hockey team of the Estonian defence forces’
representation, including deputy commander of
the defence forces Brig Gen Artur Tiganik, is to
take part in the second Baltic Military Winter
Games in Vilnius. The games will take place from
Tuesday to Friday.
Estonia and Austria sign agreement on cooperation in cyber defence
On 20 February Estonia and Austria signed an agreement on international cooperation on joint
holding of training exercises in cyber defence to support the development of cyber defence
capabilities of the EU and NATO. The Estonian Defence Minister Sven Mikser said about the
agreement that: “Skills and knowledge of personnel are of paramount importance in cyber
defence operations. Cooperation in this area is a cornerstone of cyber defence, and we
welcome the agreement with Austria”.
Newsletter was prepared by Aistė Aurelija Azbytė-Slott, Katja Nørgaard Hansen (intern, Tallinn),
Emil Bargmann Madsen (intern, Riga), Morten Grandahl (intern, Vilnius)
7