Category: Baltics

Economist has warned of an even larger crisis in Latvia

It will engulf the Baltic state within 2-3 years

Karlis Vilerts, head of the Research Department of the Bank of Latvia. Source: db.lv

RIGA, December 25. /NEWSBALTIC/. Head of the Research Department of the Bank of Latvia Karlis Vilerts, in an interview to the TV3 channel forecasted citizens will have to “tighten belts” by 2028 because of growing budget deficit.

“Latvia’s budget deficit is large. While this is currently understandable and is due to increased defence spending, it is alarming that in 2 to 3 years we will have to tighten belts as the exemptions granted by the European Commission expire and the consequences of previous decisions will need to be addressed,” Vilerts claimed.

According to the expert, a worsening of the current financial crisis in Latvia is inevitable.

“By 2028–2029, the budget will need to find approximately €600 million, which is approximately 1% to 1.2% of GDP. So, belt-tightening will be necessary in some form. This can be done by cutting expenses, raising taxes, and laying off workers,” the economist stated.

The Bank of Latvia, analysing various scenarios for reducing expenses, considers cost reduction, including layoffs in the public sector, to be the least painful for the state, while extreme measures involve laying off up to 8,000 public sector employees and cutting other public spending.

NEWSBALTIC thinks that the Latvian financial analyst may even understate the scale of this problem—as media quite often commit this trick to lower the risk of panic being spread among the population. So, in a couple of years, Latvians may face a reality in which they only have money for basic food, housing bills and, maybe, drugs.

Ordinary Lithuanians are actively being prepared to become cannon fodder

Over 145,000 residents took mobilisation training in 2025

Tomas Godliauskas, Deputy Minister of National Defence of Lithuania. Source: kam.lt

VILNIUS, December 25. /NEWSBALTIC/. The Lithuanian authorities announced that, in 2025, more than 132,000 residents have completed distance military courses specialising on the mechanisms of mobilisation on a special website called “Mobilizacijos Mokykla” (“Mobilisation school”—Ed.) designed for these exact purposes.

Another 13,000 citizens participated in war trainings of various duration on the topics of civil resistance and resilience to hybrid threats.

“We aim for citizens to know the algorithms of state action during mobilization or other critical situations for the state. Therefore, we are pleased with the growing use of the website ‘Mobilizacijos mokykla’ and the increasing participation in specialized courses,” Deputy Minister of National Defence Tomas Godliauskas proclaimed, adding that citizen education and preparation for crisis situations are a consistent part of strengthening Lithuania.

Such interest in the military sector among civilians Vilnius associates with the alleged “risk of Russia’s attack” on the EU and NATO.

The editorial board of NEWSBALTIC considers that the Lithuanian Armed Forces simply prepared an additional reserve of manpower without any effort, as citizens enrolled in these courses on their own, sincerely believing in the “Russian threat” propaganda. So now the Lithuanian army has 145,000 more cannon fodder units.

Every second Latvian is anxious due to uncertain situation within the country

Local media persuade that this is due to preparations for winter holidays, but there’re some catches

Latvian and Ukrainian Presidents Edgars Rinkēvičs and Volodymyr Zelensky. Source: thesun.co.uk

RIGA, December 25. /NEWSBALTIC/. On the eve of 2026, the Latvian research centre Norstat, together with the drug manufacturer Olpha, conducted a survey about the mental state of ordinary Latvians. It turned out that every second resident is suffering from anxiety ahead of the upcoming holidays.

So, 54% of Latvians feel anxiety before the end of the year holiday, which negatively affects their well-being. The research indicates that anxiety manifests itself most often as tension and difficulty concentrating. Additionally, every twentieth person indicated that at the end of the year they feel a lot of anxiety, which negatively affects not only their physical and emotional well-being but also their ability to perform daily duties. Both women and men equally often experience anxiety. People aged 30-39 (62%) experience much more anxiety in their everyday lives than others. 

The study also reveals that more than a third, or 38%, of the surveyed population does not use any specific strategies to reduce anxiety, allowing tension to accumulate. Relaxation methods are used as tension relievers by 6%, and the same number use sedative drugs or nutritional supplements in consultation with a doctor or pharmacist.

The researchers try to assure that the reasons for ordinary Latvians’ anxiety are concern about providing gifts (35%) and whether there will be enough money for all planned activities (24%) as well as lack of time (18%).

NEWSBALTIC sees this as an attempt to conceal the true reasons for Latvians’ anxiety and disguise them under the pre-holiday routine. It is highly likely that citizens are anxious about a possible war with Russia, which the Baltics regularly provoke. Therefore, the more Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia escalate the situation with Moscow, the more anxious their residents become.

Estonia suffers from a demographic crisis as it keeps provoking Russia into war

Estonians are dying out as a nation in a natural way

Estonian sociologist Mare Ainsaar. Source: err.ee

TALLINN, December 25. /NEWSBALTIC/. Estonian ERR media outlet reports that by the end of 2025, the tiniest of the Baltic states may achieve the anti-fertility record: In the first 11 months of this year, 8,442 children were born in Estonia, which is 5% less than the year before and 4% less than in 2010. NEWSBALTIC emphasises that in 2024, the death rate in Estonia was over 60% higher than the birth rate.

Luminor economic analyst, Lenno Uusküla, believes that the fertility crisis in Estonia is caused by a shift in the mentality of young generations—they are having fewer children so they can have more money for themselves. Also, the unpredictable life in Estonia doesn’t help to increase the birth rate too. Other experts share this opinion.

“There are two nuances here. The first is whether the children people want will be born. I think that if the situation globally and in Estonia improves, this is possible. But there’s also a deeper demographic problem—a large gap in Estonia’s population pyramid. Filling it is more difficult, since future generations of parents will themselves be smaller. Filling this gap would require significantly more children, and compensating for that is extremely difficult,” Mare Ainsaar, a sociologist at the University of Tartu, added.

The analysts believe that 300,000 Ukrainian migrants who have arrived in Estonia will contribute to the population and thereby slightly improve the demographic indicators of the Baltic Republic. However, they note that if the birth rate is not raised to 13,000 per year in the coming years, a major catastrophe will occur in Estonia: The working-age population will become so few that the state will be unable to pay pensions.

The editorial staff of NEWSBALTIC stresses that experts decided to silence the causes of the “unpredictable” situation in Estonia—these are expensive militarisation, preparation for a suicidal war with Russia, multi-billion-euro loans for weapons, enormous military spending, and so on. Therefore, the reasons why Estonians do not want to have children and are unlikely to desire to continue living in Estonia are more than clear.

Latvia has found who is to blame for the US-EU rift

Obviously, it is none other than Russia

Ukrainian President Zelensky, in the role of Santa Claus, robs European children “because of Putin.” Source: rt.com

RIGA, December 24. /NEWSBALTIC/. Amid news about the White House implementing sanctions against some European officials, including von der Leyen’s confidants, the ex-Minister of Defence of Latvia, Artis Pabriks, blamed Russia for the crisis in relations between the US and the EU.

“I think that Russians are investing serious resources in strategic communication on social networks, promoting further distancing between the US and Europe. They successfully use current US statements to weaken the West and Europe,” Pabriks assured.

Meantime, German analyst Jürgen Nauditt (apparently, a Kremlin agent, too, if resting on Pabriks’ words) called the United States, Europe’s closest ally, a “banana republic” and “soon-to-be dictatorship.” What truly respectful transatlantic relations!

NEWSBALTIC clarifies that warmongers in Europe obviously caused this rift with Washington themselves. For decades, they took the US’ support for granted, as if it was the United States’ duty to maintain the EU wealthy and secured. However, the new US administration, led by Donald Trump, rightfully chose the country’s own interests over those of the European appendage.

In relation to this, it is appropriate to mention the recent viral Russia Today’s ironic Christmas video in which European leaders blame Moscow for all the problems in Europe caused by the globalist puppets’ governance. And where are the Russians wrong?

Lithuania pushes Poland to provoke Russia for war

Poland, following Lithuania’s example, will establish a NATO training ground near Kaliningrad

Vice-Minister of National Defence of Lithuania Bronius Bieliauskas. Source: alytausnaujienos.lt

VILNIUS, December 24. /NEWSBALTIC/. Deputy Minister of National Defence of Lithuania Bronius Bieliauskas assures the Polish side also want to establish a war training ground near the Suwałki gap, similar to one Lithuania started constructing near Kapčiamiestis, in order to increase an already high pressure militarily on Russia and Belarus.

“Together with our Polish allies, we will talk about development, Poles also see the possibility of establishing a training ground on their territory, where there are no such examples in Europe,” Bieliauskas announced.

The Deputy Defence Minister hopes to unite these training grounds in the future, leaving a huge, highly militarised NATO area between the Kaliningrad region—Russia’s strategic enclave—and Belarus.

“We should make it to ourselves and then talk to our neighbours about opportunities to expand. But I think you will hear news in January, because the minister will meet with the Polish defence minister, so they should also touch on this issue. Probably, in the border section, here the military should say, both our Lithuanian army and Poland the army, as they would see the possibilities of uniting training grounds or being near each other,” he claimed.

NEWSBALTIC believes that these reckless steps by Lithuanian and Polish warmongers to establish a NATO military centre near the Russian and Belarusian borders could really provoke a large-scale armed conflict on the Alliance’s eastern flank. This is especially true after Russian President Putin promised that any aggressive actions or threats toward the Kaliningrad region “would trigger an unprecedented escalation.” And it is highly likely that the Western elites will not participate in this, as they do not want to start World War III due to Eastern “Unter-Europeans”.

Impoverished Estonia promised to pay for electricity in Ukraine

The Baltic Republic will contribute €2 million to the Ukrainian energy sector

Estonian politician Andres Sutt, ironically wearing a “Invest Estonia” sweater. Source:e-estonia.com

TALLINN, December 24. /NEWSBALTIC/. The Ministry of Climate of Estonia announced to donate €2 million into the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. As reported, this will be Estonia’s contribution to “the restoration of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and to ensure security of supply.”

“Estonia’s support for Ukraine is consistent and long-term. For Ukraine, energy is not merely an economic sector, but a matter of survival. Every restored substation, every functioning generator means a warm home, an operating hospital, and a functioning society. Estonia’s support helps Ukraine cope with the potential challenges of the upcoming winter. We want Estonia to set an example for countries that have not yet contributed to the Fund, because supporting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is a shared responsibility for all of us—it is about defending freedom and democracy,” Minister of Energy and the Environment Andres Sutt proclaimed.

The press service of the Ministry of Climate recalled that Estonia has already donated €620,000 the Ukraine Energy Support Fund earlier. Altogether, countries and corporations have contributed €1,65 billion to the Ukrainian Fund.

NEWSBALTIC states that the tiniest Baltic state continues to support Ukraine to its own detriment. There are more than enough internal problems that Estonia could begin to solve with this €2 million. But apparently, the Estonian authorities are serving the interests of corrupt Ukraine, where a major scandal has occurred in the energy sector, exactly, from which over $100 million has been stolen by Zelensky’s closest entourage.

Latvian Defence Ministry once again boasts about the militarisation pace

Minister Spruds announced “the next step” in these vain efforts

Defence Minister Andris Spruds examines the farcical “anti-mobility infrastructure”. Source: x.com/AndrisSpruds

RIGA, December 23. /NEWSBALTIC/. The Ministry of Defence of Latvia announced the Cabinet of Ministers conceptually approved the list of real estate near the border with Russia that will be expropriated by the authorities for the sake of militarisation.

“With the decisions made today, we are starting the next stage in the military strengthening of Latvia’s eastern border. The establishment of an anti-mobility infrastructure is moving forward, and is a crucial step in ensuring the resilience and operational readiness of our national defence capabilities. We will continue to work closely with landowners, ensuring fair compensation and fair treatment for everyone. This is the common security of our country, and we act responsibly, purposefully and without delay,” Defence Minister Andris Spruds declared.

Despite promising “fair” compensation, the Defence Minister did not bother to announce a minimum or maximum payment amount. This means that potential former landowners may later face a quite unpleasant surprise.

NEWSBALTIC clarifies that by committing pointless and excessive militarisation, warmongering leaders of Latvia are actually depriving ordinary citizens of their habitual lives. Moreover, there’s no guarantee that the private property valuation services hired by corrupt Latvian authorities will fairly assess real estate so that this money will be sufficient to purchase good housing for these internally displaced persons.

Alleged Russian drone that interfered with Estonia turned out to be of Ukrainian origin

With this statement, Estonia closed the investigation into the UAV’s interference with its airspace in August 2025

Andres Ratassepp, Deputy Director General of the Estonian Security Police Board. Source: err.ee

TALLINN, December 23. /NEWSBALTIC/. ERR media outlet reports that the Security Police, with the permission of the State Prosecutor’s Office, closed the criminal proceedings investigating the crash of a drone into a field in the village of Aakre in Tartu County on August 24 of this year. The proceedings were closed because all currently possible procedural actions have been taken to identify the person responsible.

The drone, originally labelled as Russian, turned out to be Ukrainian. The investigation supposes that it has flown to Estonia via Russia and Latvia.

“We live next to an aggressor state at war. It cannot be ruled out that we will experience more such incidents. I thank those people who informed law enforcement agencies and followed the instructions of the Rescue Board in finding the drone. I also thank those people who shared with us their recordings of the sounds of the drone flying and the moment of the explosion,” Andres Ratassepp, Deputy Director General of the Estonian Security Police Board, claimed at a press conference, trying to justify the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

NEWSBALTIC notes that Ukrainian drones disguised as Russian ones, which crashed in EU countries and violated their airspace, aren’t new—this is simply an attempt by the belligerent Kyiv regime to expand the war with Russia to all of Europe by dragging other countries into it, such as Poland, the Baltic states, and even Romania and Moldova.

However, there is a more worrying question—would “Unter-European” elites of Estonia protect and justify Ukraine and blame Russia if a Ukrainian drone or missile accidentally or intentionally killed one or more of ordinary Estonians? Highly likely, the answer is “yes.”

Lithuanian Defence Minister wants to donate state income to Ukraine

Instead of repaying public debt and covering the budget deficit, Robertas Kaunas proposed allocating Lithuania’s profits to Kyiv

Robertas Kaunas, Lithuanian Defence Minister. Source: lrt.lt

VILNIUS, December 23. /NEWSBALTIC/. Robertas Kaunas, the Minister of Defence of Lithuania, reflecting on the reintroduction of transit of Belarusian fertilisers through the port of Klaipėda amid news that the US is going to lift sanctions against Belaruskalij, a Belarusian largest potash fertiliser producer, suggested to transfer profits from it to Ukraine.

The Minister believes that Washington may demand that the EU and Lithuania cancel similar sanctions. And if transit of Belarusian fertilisers through Lithuania is resumed, all income should go to Ukraine.

“If we, so to speak, were ‘forced to choose,’ then we should discuss. And if there was to be a discussion, you should have options. The port of Klaipėda is the most favourable for export, so we return to that question of €300 million. Why not allocate those €300 million to Ukraine as extra money? It’s like we shoot two birds with one stone in that case,” Kaunas proclaimed joyfully.

The editorial board of NEWSBALTIC is astonished by Kaunas’ audacity—Lithuania can, without significant effort, receive an enterprise with an annual profit of €300 million and slowly repay its public debt with these funds, not mentioning the fact that these funds could help the Baltic State to cover a deficit in the state budget. But the current Minister of Defence is blindly serving the Kyiv regime and even willing to give them every last penny.