Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia build a defense line in the Baltic

2024-09-01 18:40:33, Kosova & Bota CNA

In the face of Russia's aggression, the Baltic states are making efforts to protect NATO's eastern border. As VOA correspondent Myroslava Gongadze reports from Latvia's border with Russia, the Baltic Defense Line — a new fortification system along their borders with Russia and Belarus — is intended to protect NATO allies from potential attacks. .

Latvia is installing concrete structures known as "dragon's teeth" as part of the Baltic defense line along the border with Russia and Belarus.

Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds says the Baltic states are making progress in implementing a January agreement to bolster NATO's eastern flank following Russian aggression against Ukraine.

"For several years we have been faced with a kind of hybrid offensive such as disinformation campaigns, the use of illegal immigration, cyber attacks and some incidents against our critical infrastructure. This is one of the examples that we are taking measures to prevent aggressor states and of course we are cooperating with our NATO allies to strengthen the defense", he says to the Voice of America.

According to Minister Spruds, Russia's attack on Ukraine has prompted Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland to invest in their defense and strengthen their borders.

"What happened in Ukraine was additional proof, it gave us a new incentive to take measures as soon as possible. We understood how important it is to protect the country and the territory of NATO, every inch of it. We are doing this now", Minister Spruds declared in the interview for the Voice of America.

Latvia's border with Russia and Belarus is 450 kilometers long.

"As part of the overall defense, we must be responsible for our share. Of course, we rely on NATO, but we must also fulfill our obligations. These are our responsibilities," Colonel Andris Rieksts from the Latvian National Armed Forces told VOA.

The defense ministry says Latvia plans to invest over $300 million over the next five years to strengthen its border.

"This year we will reach the 3 percent threshold for defense spending. We are among the six states that are fulfilling this obligation", says Minister Spruds.

Mr. Spruds hopes that other allies will also increase defense investments to at least 2 percent of gross domestic product, as required of NATO countries.

"When the war started, about eight or nine states were meeting the 2 percent threshold. Now there are more than 20. Yes, of course, we strongly defend and motivate our partners, our allies, to invest, because after all, it is about the common NATO. It is about the capacity, efficiency and power of NATO", he adds.

The eastern states of NATO and the European Union, located on the extreme border of the two organizations, have also requested that the EU give them financial support to build a defense line along the European Union's border with Russia and Belarus. which according to some calculations can reach the figure of 2.5 billion dollars./ VOA