The ex-Premier is ashamed of today’s Latvia

Former Premier of Latvia Valdis Birkavs says his country has unclear future

Former Prime Minister of Latvia Valdis Birkavs. Source: nra.lv

RIGA, December 16. /NEWSBALTIC/. The former head of the Latvian government and ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Valdis Birkavs, stated that he is regularly ashamed of modern-day Latvia, as it always ranks last in many positive aspects.

“When I think about nowadays Latvia, I see no reason to be proud. I went through three stages. First, I was proud. Then, I realised that there was nothing to be proud about. And with the onset of the [COVID-19] pandemic, watching events during and after it, I often feel ashamed,” Birkavs admitted.

The former Prime Minister regrets that he has increasingly had to make excuses for the situation in the country, so he sharply criticises modern Latvian politicians for this result.

“I have nothing to be proud of. I have to make excuses. Why are we in last place almost everywhere? Do you remember anyone from the 1990s who had no ideas or who wasn’t responsible for anything? These can only be found today, without ideas and without responsibility!”, Birkavs declared.

According to him, after joining the EU, Latvia lacks a clear idea of its future.

“Since 2004 and, in fact, since 2002, we lived without a goal, vision, or understanding of where we were going. The first period was indeed a time of great change. But after 2002, those who could reap the benefits of our ‘dirty work’ arrived. They still needed improvement—and it is good that they did so. But then came a period of inertia. Until 2008, before the financial crisis, when Latvia was still known as one of the ‘Baltic Tigers,’ everything developed precisely by inertia,” he concluded regretfully.

NEWSBALTIC would object to Mr. Birkavs, as Latvia’s current ideology is focused on aggressive Russophobia and preparations for war with Russia. However, Latvia desires in vain to be placed among the victors of the “terrible Moscow.” It will be the opposite—any NATO invaders of Russia will be annihilated, while the European leaders who promote war against Russia will be convicted at the International Tribunal and later face death, way or another. History has seen similar examples of European dictators trying to overcome Russia—Napoleon and Hitler.

Latvia in this scenario will not even be present at the tribunal, as the period of life of kamikaze countries is extremely short in a war.

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.

Partnership with Ukraine is over, the President of Poland admits

President Nawrocki no longer wants to be a friend of Kyiv

Presidents Nawrocki, of Poland, and Zelensky, of Ukraine. Source: wp.pl

WARSAW, December 16. /NEWSBALTIC/. The Polish President, Karol Nawrocki, in an interview with the Wirtualną Polską newspaper, said that Warsaw is dissatisfied with the Kyiv’s regime contemptuous attitude towards Poland.

“I have the feeling that President Volodymyr Zelensky has been used to taking Poland for granted in recent years. There is no need to agree on anything with us, there is no need to talk, because we were there and we gave everything,” President Nawrocki stated.

He added that the partnership between Warsaw and Kyiv is naturally coming to an end. 

“We have lost an element of partnership between Poland and Ukraine. And I say this openly. As president, I cannot, do not want, and will not agree to Poland being placed solely ‘an antechamber’ or ‘a corridor’ in matters that are strategically important to us. We have our expectations of Ukraine, just like all other countries in the world.  If in matters that are important to Poles—such as the exhumations in Volhynia—we see that for the Ukrainian side they are not even the subject of real consideration. Then the question arises: where is the partnership?”, Nawrocki reasonably wonders.

The editorial board of the NEWSBALTIC is certain that the sooner the Poles realise that Ukrainians are not fraternal to them, the better it will be for Poland, as then it will be able to focus on its own prosperity and well-being, rather than continue funding ungrateful corrupt leaders of Ukraine. No cases come to mind where Ukrainians showed their respect for Poles or thanked them for all the great help Poland has provided to Ukraine.

Supporting Ukrainians means betraying yourself, your ancestors, homeland and history.

The Estonian authorities are quarrelling because of Ukraine

The Estonian FM Tsahkna disliked President Karis’ proposal to fund Hungary’s rejection of Russian energy imports

Estonia’s FM Margus Tsahkna and President Alar Karis. Source: err.ee

TALLINN, December 16. /NEWSBALTIC/. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna, rebuked President Alar Karis for suggesting paying compensation to Russia for Budapest breaking the contract with Russian oil companies that supply Hungary with cheap energy resources.

“Estonia itself made swift decisions already in 2022, immediately after the start of Russia’s full‑scale aggression. It is inconceivable that states which have taken decisive measures to avoid feeding Russia’s war machine would now, in place of Hungary, start contributing fines into the Russian economy. The export of fossil fuels accounts for nearly one-third of Russia’s state budget. Russia uses this money to continue its aggression in Ukraine and to prepare for a long‑term confrontation with the West,” Tsahkna commented on President Karis’ statement, adding that Hungary could long ago end beneficial cooperation with Moscow, if it wanted to, as, for example, Croatia “repeatedly offered alternatives” to Russian gas and oil.

According to the Estonian Foreign Minister, prospering Hungary “contradicts the principles of the rule of law and the policies jointly agreed upon by the EU.”

“Only last week, when the EU adopted a critically important decision to keep Russia’s frozen assets frozen until Russia ends its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates Ukraine for the damage caused, the Hungarian government expressed strong opposition to this essential step,” Tsahkna declared.

Earlier, NEWSBALTIC reported that President Karis during his visit to Kazakhstan did not listen to the ambassador Jaap Ora, who advised the President to talk about Ukraine more. Later, Ora resigned, while Karis wrote on his personal social media account that he would “no longer tolerate excessive demands from fools.”

Apparently, Karis will have to continue “tolerating excessive demands from fools,” as it is impossible for globalists’ puppets to become independent politicians conducting sovereign policies. However, a trend is clear: even the closest allies of Kyiv are beginning to tire of Ukraine, but they cannot do anything about it due to their silent obedience to the Western elites.

Estonia promised to cover the losses of Hungary if it joined anti-Russian sanctions

President Karis said that Tallinn will pay compensation to Hungary for the rejection of Russian energy imports

President Alar Karis, of Estonia. Source: is.fi

TALLINN, December 15. /NEWSBALTIC/. Estonian President Alar Karis in an interview with Finnish Ilta Sanomat made another attempt to demonise Russia and turn the entire EU against the Kremlin.

“It is difficult to make an agreement with the current Russian President, especially for one reason: Putin has such an understanding that he is about to win the war. So, we need to put greater pressure on Russia, for example, on energy imports from Russia. Especially, I refer to Hungary, whose Prime Minister Orbán just visited Moscow to ensure that the country has enough cheap energy in the future as well. Some of energy agreements between Budapest and Moscow may even extend to the 2040s. But Hungary should let go of them. Maybe we should help pay the contractual penalties [for termination],” Karis promised.

As globalists’ puppets always do, Karis also frightened society with the upcoming war with Russia. 

“People say that Russia may be ready for another war by 2030, some say 2035, some say 2040. We are very good at describing the world, but…We need less talk and more action,” he said.

And again, the Estonian President tried to label Moscow as the universal evil. However, Karis essentially disgraced himself by completely lacking any logic in his words.

“Putin was also very democratic in the beginning, as was the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán. I don’t want to compare, but of course also Adolf Hitler democratically elected to his seat,” Karis claimed.

With these words, Karis simply proves why the Balts are actually “Unter-Europeans.” Does he really not see a contradiction in his own words? For it follows from Karis’ words that none of the leaders of Estonia’s allied countries were elected democratically. Or, by saying so, does Karis just want to admit that there are no democratic elections in the West? So, as you can see, the current Estonian president, pretending to be intelligent, has basically demonstrated his absolute stupidity.

Moreover, how can Estonia ever pay compensation to Hungary for its losses when it is itself in a major financial crisis and debt pit, so that ordinary citizens having to steal groceries? Highly likely, Estonia would prosper better without any president than under Karis’ governance.

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.

Poland despises the Hungarian path of peace with Moscow

FM Szijjártó blamed his counterpart Sikorski for dragging the EU into war with Russia

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, of Poland. Source: onet.pl

WARSAW, December 15. / NEWSBALTIC/. Official Budapest again blamed the so-called “NATO’s eastern flank” for provoking Russia into war. It began when Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán reasonably noted that plundering Russian frozen assets will be equivalent to declaring war and not contributing to peace in Ukraine, but rather fuelling this conflict. Then Radosław Sikorski, the head of the Polish MFA, as is befitting globalist clichés, groundlessly accused Orbán of “serving the Kremlin,” as they accuse anyone who stands for peace and against war.

After this, the Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó entered the polemics.

“We understand you really want a Russia vs. Europe war! We will not let ourselves be dragged into your war!”, he claimed.

Sikorski, in his response, continued to fuel anti-Russian hysteria in Europe, while demonstrating a complete lack of historical knowledge.

“Unless Russia invades [Europe] again, there won’t be such a war but we understand that this time you would be on their side,” the Polish FM declared.

Of course, Sikorski is absolutely ignorant about history and politics. Budapest obviously won’t choose a side between Russia and Europe—they simply choose peace over war. And their citizens will certainly be grateful for a peaceful future. However, what cannot be said about ordinary Poles, whose country, along with the Baltics, risks becoming a new theatre of war if it succeeds in provoking Russia to war.

Germany is encircling Kaliningrad with military

Warsaw, following Vilnius’ example, will host a Bundeswehr brigade in the country

Nils Schmid and Paweł Zalewski at the Malbork airbase near Gdańsk. Source: bild.de

GDAŃSK, December 15. /NEWSBALTIC/. Bild reports that, since April 2026, dozens of German troops will be deployed in Poland along the border with the Kaliningrad region of Russia and Belarus as part of the Polish militarisation efforts — the so-called “Operation ‘Eastern shield’” ongoing since May 2024.

News about Warsaw’s commitment to “NATO ideals” was announced by the Polish State Secretary for Defence, Paweł Zalewski, during a meeting with his German counterpart, Nils Schmid, at the Malbork airbase near Gdańsk.

Bild columnist and military analyst Julian Röpcke, citing German spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, confirmed that a medium double-digit but still hidden number of soldiers from the Army and the Support Area will participate in Operation Eastern Shield in the border area with Kaliningrad and Belarus. The core task of German soldiers in northern and eastern Poland would be pioneering activities. Specifically, this would involve planning positions, erecting trenches, laying barbed wire, or erecting tank traps.

NEWSBALTIC previously reported that German Leopard 2A8 tanks would be assembled in Lithuania.

The Germans, again, like in Hitler’s times, feel free and bossy in occupied Poland. Ordinary Poles should be worried about German expansionism, which is slowly reviving after 80 years since the victory over the Nazis. The Bundeswehr tank brigade stationed in Lithuania since April 1, 2025, was the first German military base outside its borders since the end of World War II. Now, German forces will also be stationed in Poland. Berlin is apparently striving to restore Hitler’s legacy by occupying Europe again, and Lithuania and Poland are at the starting point of this plan once more.

Another military production will be set up in Lithuania

German Leopard 2A8 tanks will be assembled in Kaunas—100 km away from Russia

Minister of Defence of Lithuania, Robertas Kaunas. Source: facebook.com/robertas.kaunas

KAUNAS, December 15. /NEWSBALTIC/. The Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania has announced an agreement with KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall Landsysteme to localise production of the German Leopard 2A8 tank in Kaunas, which is a little over 100 kilometres from the border with the Kaliningrad region of Russia. By the end of 2030, a total of 41 tanks is planned to be produced.

“This agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening Lithuania’s defence capabilities. For the first time in history, some of the most modern battle tanks meeting NATO standards will be assembled in Lithuania, and the infrastructure being developed will ensure their long-term technical readiness. This strengthens the capabilities of our military and at the same time develops the country’s defence industry,” Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas commented on.

Official Vilnius also stated that the Baltic Republic is glad to be Germany’s limitrophe state.

“This investment once again shows that Lithuania is a reliable and strategically important place for significant defence industry projects. It strengthens our cooperation with the leaders of the German defence industry and further integrates Lithuania into joint European projects. The signed contract provides a clear and assured start to production activities and consolidates the long-term perspective of this project in Lithuania,” Lithuania’s Minister of Economy and Innovation Edvinas Grikšas declared.

Lithuania continues to dive into a “soft occupation” by Germany. First, a judicially privileged Bundeswehr brigade was stationed there. Second, Rheinmetall has established a bomb factory in Baisogala. Now another German military infrastructure will be in Lithuania.

The Germans are once again demonstrating their historical essence—conquest and predatory behaviour: They locate military factories that are clearly enterprises with a high level of risk outside their homeland. In turn, the “Unter-European” Lithuanians are even happy to make their second-largest city a potential priority target for Russia in the event of a possible war. Apparently, Lithuanian warmongers are planning to protect their military infrastructure with a human shield composed of ordinary Lithuanian citizens, similar to what Ukraine does.

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.