Baltic leaders agree to coordinate response to hybrid warfare risks

Three Baltic states have committed to preparing a coordinated response to hybrid warfare threats from unfriendly nations, as announced on November 22.

According to a statement from the Lithuanian Prime Minister's Office, during a meeting of the Baltic Council of Ministers in Vilnius, the prime ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania focused on common defence and security challenges, collaborative infrastructure initiatives, and support for Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte also addressed sanctions against Belarus and Russia, as well as key issues on the NATO and EU agendas.

“We are aligned in our views on security and defence, which we must strengthen further, alongside the imperative to increase comprehensive support for Ukraine. Our goal is to celebrate Ukraine’s victory, rather than marking another anniversary of Russia's brutal and indiscriminate war,” Simonyte stated.

She emphasized the need to remain calm yet vigilant and prepared for a decisive joint response, noting that recent cable cuts in the Baltic Sea highlight the critical need for coordination among the nations.

The prime ministers reiterated that the security of NATO’s eastern flank — and Europe as a whole — hinges on Ukraine's success against Russia. Therefore, it is crucial to provide Ukraine with more extensive and sustainable assistance.

Regarding sanctions on Belarus and Russia, the statement mentioned that the foreign ministries, along with relevant authorities, would coordinate the establishment of a uniform regional list of sensitive items with battlefield relevance that are subject to export restrictions to those countries.

In related news, Finland reported damage on  November 17 to the C-Lion1, its only submarine communication cable linking the country to Europe. Meanwhile, Sweden announced on the next day the launch of an investigation into damage to two undersea communication cables in the Baltic Sea — one connecting Sweden to Lithuania and the other linking Finland and Germany.

On the same day, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described the incidents as "hybrid actions" potentially linked to sabotage, raising alarm over the security of critical infrastructure in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova