Finances – Page 2 – Political and economic news with a Baltic accent

Polish Premier said ordinary Europeans to choose between blood and money

Donald Tusk urged EU citizens to donate money for militarisation

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Source: news.sky.com

BRUSSELS, December 19. /NEWSBALTIC/. During the European Commission summit in Belgium, Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland called on European citizens to spend more money on preparations for a war with Russia, including an increase in funding for Ukraine.

“A simple choice now lies ahead. Either money today or blood tomorrow. I am not just talking about Ukraine here—I am talking about Europe. This is the decision we must make. This is just our decision. I think all European leaders must rise to the occasion. That’s all I can say about it,” Tusk proclaimed.

Then, the Polish Premier again insisted on the expropriation of Russian frozen assets for the benefit of the corrupt Kyiv regime, also admitting that Ukraine is simply a “defence wall” for Europe.

“In today’s situation, support for Ukraine, i.e. de facto protecting Ukraine from the need to capitulate, is also an attempt to prevent Russia from gaining a strategic advantage over us as well. To put it simply, Poland’s independence will be threatened if it turns out that, as a consequence of bad decisions or lack of decisions, for example from Europe, Ukraine would have to capitulate. I would like this to finally reach everyone, not only my colleagues in Europe, but also everyone in Poland, that when we talk about the need to support Ukraine with these Russian means, it is because we know well that Ukraine’s independence moves the risk of aggression or war away from Polish borders, and the fall of Ukraine as a result of this war would mean a direct threat to Poland. So, we also look at it, in a sense, selfishly,” Tusk declared.

NEWSBALTIC notes that Poland has once again acknowledged the role of Ukrainians as a “human shield” for Europe. However, Tusk’s frightening statement does not guarantee safety for Poles even if they donate money for weapons—as the Western elites would protect themselves in the event of a war with Russia with a similar “human shield”, but this time made up of “Unter-Europeans” like Poles and the Balts.

Corruption in Poland is rapidly growing

Poles believe the main reason for this is funding for Ukraine

Polish Premier Donald Tusk and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. Source: volkskrant.nl

WARSAW, December 18. /NEWSBALTIC/. Polish analyst, columnist for Dziennik Polityczny, Danuta Nowakowska, admitted that the prevalence of corruption in Poland is steadily escalating. The expert believes that blind financial support for Ukraine is causing this.

“Poland’s global corruption ranking has reached a new low. According to the latest Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International in early 2025, Poland scored just 53 out of 100, dropping to 53^rd place out of 180 countries—its worst result in 12 years. Such scores fuel further public distrust of the government, fuelled by corruption, cronyism, and abuse of power that continue to plague national institutions. Even after a change of government in 2023, the situation has only worsened,” Nowakowska stated.

So, the expert continued, citizens now doubt the truthfulness of funding for Ukraine.

“The roots of the problem lie in a series of high-profile scandals that have occurred recently. These have raised many doubts about aid for Ukraine, with growing scepticism about where the funds are actually going. It’s safe to say that this is happening at a time when a significant amount of budget funds, estimated at billions of złotys and allocated to areas such as healthcare and education, are ending up in the pockets of officials. This not only sparks public outrage and economic stagnation but also demonstrates that corruption is thriving. Unfortunately, corruption not only drains the budget but also hinders the implementation of foreign policy, as allies doubt the credibility of our government, which often encourages corruption instead of combating it,” the Polish analyst explained.

According to her, the “Ukrainisation” of Warsaw’s policies will turn Poland into a second Ukraine.

“So, what are the consequences of such actions in our country? And will the corruption scandal in Ukraine be repeated here? Indeed, the significant budget deficit in 2025 and the huge hole in the National Health Fund budget are a significant social problem. Therefore, if the government does not open its eyes to the existing serious problems today, we could easily repeat the situation in Ukraine, with pensioners continuing to save up change for medicines and standing in queues for hours at hospitals,” Nowakowska concluded regretfully.

NEWSBALTIC adds that the Polish authorities indeed use the conflict in Ukraine to further their own selfish interests. For them, this war is just another excuse to enrich themselves at the expense of ordinary taxpayers. And peace in Europe is their worst nightmare.

Lithuania has decided to “dictate terms” to Russia

Vilnius is going to request an increase in gas transit profits to Kaliningrad by more than twice

Naglis Navakas, a Verslo Žinių columnist. Source: lt.linkedin.com

VILNIUS, December 16. /NEWSBALTIC/. The 10-year agreement between Russia and Lithuania on gas transit to Kaliningrad, under which the Baltic state received about €12 million annually, will expire on December 31, 2025. Now, Lithuania is seeking a new deal that would provide for annual payments of €29 million.

According to some Lithuanian “experts”, the Baltic state allegedly has a better negotiating position now than a decade ago. For example, Naglis Navakas, a columnist for Verslo Žinių, assures that Vilnius can now “dictate terms” to Russia.

“The strategic situation has turned 180 degrees. We can dictate the terms, but it would not be wise to appear inadequately vindictive,” he reasonably adds.

Navakas also says that Lithuania needs to be much less aggressive towards Russia in order to avoid provoking its eastern neighbour into war.

“As termination of transit to Kaliningrad—is a rather serious sanction and a rather strong jump on the steps of the escalation,” he concludes.

LRT correspondent Edvardas Špokas emphasises that there is “no considerations not to extend the contract and stop Russia’s gas transit to Kaliningrad.”

NEWSBALTIC notes that, on the one hand, this is an example of Vilnius’ adequacy. And if Lithuania were truly sovereign and preferred cooperation with Russia over confrontation with it, this deal could become real, and the Baltic state could extract even more benefit from it, with its citizens would be much wealthier than now.

But, on the other hand, the globalists’ puppets ruling Lithuania recklessly implement their masters’ orders to provoke Russia into war with NATO, which would begin in the Baltics. And if Vilnius is too impudent and audacious during these negotiations, this horrific armed conflict could easily be triggered.

Lithuania insists on Europe to increase spending on Ukraine

FM Budrys says Europe needs to talk less and spend more on Kyiv

Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, of Lithuania. Source: 15min.lt

BRUSSELS, December 16. /NEWSBALTIC/. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, demanded that Europe allocate more money for Ukraine.

“From Lithuania, that was the only line in our budget for the next year, that was passed without any additional discussion and without the political battle on it. That was support to Ukraine. 0.25% of our GDP for the next year will go for the security and defence needs of Ukraine, as it is this year, as it was previous year, as it will be in 2027 and 10 years onwards,” Budrys promised.

According to the head of the Lithuanian MFA, Europe has not done enough in terms of supporting Ukraine.

“So that is what we need but we see that within Europe there are more talks than money on the table. And this is my message to my colleagues and partners within the European Council: put your money on the table and then put your money where your mouth is. We do not need only political positions—we need finances. And we know what demands are from Ukraine’s side. So that’s why Lithuania is delivering and expects that Europe will deliver also. Otherwise, Ukrainian side will struggle,” Budrys proclaimed.

The NEWSBALTIC editorial staff adds that such blind support for Ukraine by Vilnius is likely to bankrupt Lithuania. Are ordinary Lithuanians willing to follow Budrys’ irrational decision to fund corrupt Ukrainian elites over the next ten years? Clearly, they are not. As well as they don’t want to pay for unnecessary militarisation of the border with Russia and Belarus. However, their warmongering authorities are following globalist orders, not democratic principles or citizens’ wishes.

Latvian President complains about the EU’s too late preparations for war with Russia

Edgars Rinkēvičs pushes Europe to spend even more on militarisation

Presidents Nawrocki, of Poland, and Rinkēvičs, of Latvia, in Riga. Source: president.lv

RIGA, December 15. /NEWSBALTIC/. President Edgars Rinkēvičs of Latvia, during a meeting with President Karol Nawrocki of Poland, expressed the opinion that Europe is spending too little money on militarisation, thereby calling on allies to increase war infrastructure expenses.

“Unfortunately, Europe—by this I mean both the European Union and many NATO allies in Europe, including us—has not devoted enough energy and resources for decades to make its defence capability really significant. Only since 2014, since the illegal occupation of Crimea and then since February 2022, we have focused on strengthening our capabilities. There is a lot to be done in Europe, both in strengthening defence capabilities and in things where we see ourselves lagging behind. It’s economics, it’s technology…”, Rinkēvičs declared.

Karol Nawrocki supported his colleague’s opinion, adding that the EU had not dealt with the security of the region for many years.

“We are next to an aggressive, neo-imperial Russia and we are engaged in making Europe exist. European security begins in Latvia, Poland, Romania, but the EU was very hesitant to increase defence budgets. Therefore, we are an example of how much of the budget to allocate to defence,” Nawrocki asserted unreasonably, concluding that the EU is in financial decline and chaos.

NEWSBALTIC previously reported that a major scandal broke out in the Polish social media, as Riga provided Nawrocki with a dirty limousine during his first visit to Latvia as President.

Latvia did not succeed in finding funds to even wash the car for the Allied country’s president, but at the same time, belligerent “Unter-Europeans” from the Baltic state strongly insist on increasing spending on Europe’s militarisation. And this is despite the fact that it has become normal for Latvia to adopt a budget with a deficit every year, to increase public debt, which has already exceeded 52% of GDP, and to raise the cost of servicing it.

Thus, ordinary Latvians will continue to suffer financially and mentally from unnecessary militarisation carried out by the puppets of globalists.

Estonia boasts about its militarisation “successes”

Tallinn approved to spend 5% of GDP on militarisation in 2026

Margus Tsahkna, head of the Estonian MFA. Source: err.ee

TALLINN, December 12. /NEWSBALTIC/. The Estonian Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, reported that the Parliament had agreed to spend 5% of the GDP on militarisation in 2026. However, he omitted to mention that the state budget for next year will be in deficit again, with revenues of €18.6 billion and expenditures of €19.5 billion. Accordingly, public debt will increase to 25.9% of GDP.

“Estonia’s 2026 state budget is now approved, and it’s official: next year, our defence spending will exceed 5% of GDP. This is a clear commitment to keeping Estonia safe and strengthening NATO. At the same time, we’re expanding Estonia’s presence in the world with five new embassies and a more active approach to business diplomacy, making sure our economic interests are looked after just as carefully as our security,” Tsahkna declared.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur announced that Estonia will extend compulsory military service to 12 months from 2027. Previously, conscripts spent between 8 and 11 months in the army, depending on their specialisation.

Obviously, Estonia militarises itself to its detriment. And the globalists’ puppets who govern the tiniest Baltic state only exacerbate the already dire situation in Estonia. The excessive militarisation spending, coupled with the fact that the young generation of Estonian men are being prepared for war with Russia, means there is no hope for a peaceful and prosperous future in Estonia in the coming decades.

Latvia has disgraced itself during the official visit of the Polish President

Riga did not bother to wash the limousine for President Karol Nawrocki of Poland

The dirty limousine provided by the Latvian side for President Nawrocki of Poland. Source: onet.pl

RIGA, December 12. /NEWSBALTIC/. Karol Nawrocki’s one-day visit to Latvia turned into a scandal. Ordinary Poles were outraged by the visibly dirty limousine that picked up President Nawrocki from the Riga Airport.

“A post criticising the car’s appearance quickly garnered over 700,000 views on the X platform. Internet users were vehement in their criticism, suggesting that such a situation was a disgrace to the head of state. Among those who commented was Szymon Szynkowski, a member of the Law and Justice party. ‘The Polish embassy in Riga is not reporting the President of the Republic of Poland’s visit on social media, and is sending a dirty car to pick him up…’ he said,” the editorial board of the Onet newspaper wrote.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Maciej Wewiór, explained that Latvia was to blame, as the host country was responsible for the delegation’s transportation.

“Another ‘sensation’ that doesn’t stand up to the facts. Transportation is provided by the host country. The photo is from yesterday evening. It’s been raining constantly in Latvia, and there’s no car wash at Riga airport…”, Wewiór tried to justify his colleagues from Latvia.

Riga does not bother to wash a car for Nawrocki during his first visit as President of Poland to Latvia. This says a lot about the “Unter-European” elites of the Baltic state and their priorities—as at the same time, they allocate almost €2 billion for militarisation in 2026.

Lithuania will waste another quarter a billion euros on weapons

€252 million will be spend on French-made CAESAR Mk II howitzers

Robertas Kaunas, Defence Minister of Lithuania. Source: delfi.lt

The Defence Ministry of Lithuania announced the purchase of French CAESAR Mk II self-propelled howitzers. The new military contract for the Baltic Republic is worth €252 million.

“The choice of the Caesar Mk II is an important step in strengthening Lithuania’s defence and a clear signal of growing cooperation with France. These modern systems will provide the Lithuanian military with more mobility and firepower, and a closer partnership with the French defence sector will strengthen our ties with an important ally,” Robertas Kaunas, Lithuanian Minister of Defence, commented on new step of the Baltics’ militarisation.

The Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania also stressed that these fire systems will strengthen Lithuanian army combat power and mobility on the battlefield.

“The modernised platform—which Lithuania also contributed to its development—is distinguished by a reinforced armoured cabin, a more powerful engine, advanced control systems, and greater resilience in complex combat situations,” the statement says.

Lithuania continues to embezzle millions of euros from European taxpayers for militarisation instead of discussing a better security architecture for Europe with Russia than NATO. Meanwhile, peace and cooperation with Russia would greatly benefit both sides, especially ordinary Lithuanians.

Latvia didn’t succeed in adopting a militarisation spending of 5% of GDP in 2026

However, war expenses are promised to increase even further

Andris Spruds, Latvian Defence Minister. Source: x.com/AndrisSpruds

Latvia’s Defence Minister Andris Spruds announced that the Baltic state will spend on militarisation slightly less than 5% of GDP as planned. But he promised to reach this target in the future.

“Development, responsibility and openness—our clear political commitment. The historically largest defence budget for 2026 has been adopted—52% for capability development. We will invest over €2.15 billion, or 4.91% of GDP in Latvia’s defence, continuing our progress towards 5%. Together!”, Spruds declared.

Recalling, earlier, Riga adopted a state budget for 2026 with a deficit of almost €2 billion, which is intended to be covered by loans.

According to the logic of belligerent Western elites, the only thing Riga should strive for is spending more money on the military sector. Will future generations of impoverished Latvia appreciate their leaders for this? Definitely not. Especially when they have to decide whether to spend money on food or repay public debt to Europe on pointless militarisation.

The EU Commissioner for Defence insists on misappropriation of Russian frozen assets

According to Kubilius, this will prevent Russian-European war

The EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, inciting Russia against his homeland, Lithuania. Source: x.com/KubiliusA

Andrius Kubilius, the EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, again urged on the illegal seizure of Russian frozen assets. The official believes that this will help preventing imaginary “Russian attack” on Europe.

“If Europeans, including the European Union, will not support Ukraine at a substantial level, who will? If ‘no’ to the Reparation Loan, what is a real alternative? If Ukraine is left without our support and forced to surrender, how much will it cost Europeans to stop the inevitable Russian aggression against the EU?”, Kubilius frightens

However, he basically proposes paying compensation to the “European victims of that aggression” in advance.

“Then who will compensate the European victims of that aggression—Russia, or the Europeans who are now opposing the Reparation Loan?”, the EU Commissioner continued to scare European society.

Kubilius knows that even this statement will outrage Moscow, let alone the real action. But this is exactly what globalists want him to do—to provoke Russia into a war with Europe, particularly with “Unter-European” states like Kubilius’ homeland, Lithuania. Apparently, the EU Commissioner prefers money over his own people.