The prime ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Poland and the president of Lithuania have despatched an open letter to EU leaders calling for stronger help for defence initiatives on the EU's japanese border.
Supply: the letter, posted on X (Twitter) by Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal, as reported by European Pravda
Particulars: The letter was signed by Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Within the letter, dated 20 June, the 4 leaders emphasise the rising menace from Russia and Belarus, notably by their destabilising actions, sabotage, and use of migrants as a software to exert stress.
Quote: "Russia is testing our deterrence and resilience by destabilising and sabotage actions, notably alongside the japanese borders of the EU. We face extra stress from the weaponisation of migrants by Russia and Belarus."
Extra particulars: The letter’s signatories have known as on the EU to recognise the Baltic Defence Line and Japanese Protect initiatives as initiatives of frequent European curiosity and to help them utilizing all out there EU devices.
The leaders famous that Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland are already actively investing in strengthening their defence capabilities and are ready to spend greater than 5% of GDP on defence.
They underlined the significance of constructing infrastructure to counter potential incursions and shut coordination inside the EU and NATO.
Additionally they added that the Japanese Protect and Baltic Defence Line initiatives intention to develop layered defensive measures alongside the EU's japanese border. These initiatives are already underway, however want broader help from European establishments.
Background: In late 2024, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk introduced that building of the Japanese Protect fortification system alongside its borders with Russia and Belarus had begun.
The Polish authorities adopted a decision establishing the Japanese Protect Nationwide Deterrence and Defence Programme, with a funds of PLN 10 billion (approx. US$2.7 billion) for 2024-2028, at a session held within the northeastern metropolis of Białystok on 10 June final 12 months.
Earlier, it was reported that Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland deliberate to request EU funding to construct a community of bunkers, boundaries, provide strains and army warehouses alongside their borders with Russia and Belarus.
On 20 June, it was reported that the Estonian Defence Forces, in cooperation with the Centre for Defence Funding (RKIK), had begun constructing the Baltic Defence Line on the nation's south-eastern border.
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