Baltic States
Central and Eastern Europe emerges as new defence industry hub, KPMG says
Region is undergoing "a decisive moment of industrial transformation" driven by rising military spending, supply chain restructuring and the war in Ukraine.
_1776506827.jpg)
Russian sabotage operations in Europe almost quadrupled in 2024, IISS says
Russian sabotage operations in Europe almost quadrupled from 2023 to 2024 according to IISS research, with submarine cables, legacy IT systems and underinvestment in critical infrastructure identified as key vulnerabilities.
_1776505657.jpg)
Latvia approves €30mn airBaltic loan as Iran war fuel shock hits national carrier
Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) loan to airBaltic after the US-Iran war drove jet fuel prices to record highs, with the airline having hedged only 6% of its Q1 fuel requirements.
_1776505415.jpg)
Estonia's Poltsamaa mustard production to end after 64 years as war pushes up input costs
Estonia's iconic Poltsamaa mustard production will end this month after 64 years as Orkla Eesti moves operations to Latvia, with the Iran war adding bankruptcy risk for Estonian industry.
World leaders head to Beijing, as China becomes geopolitical fulcrum
The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East.
Germany rallies behind Ukraine as peace talks stall, EU membership debate divides the bloc
Germany has unveiled a sweeping €4bn military support package for Ukraine and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for the rapid disbursement of a long-delayed €90bn EU loan to Kyiv, as European powers scramble to shore up Ukraine's defences.
Zelenskiy proposes a new European version of Nato
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has proposed the creation of a new European-centred security bloc that would include Ukraine, the EU, the UK, Turkey and Norway, as concerns mount over the future of US support for Nato.
US-Europe relations strains bring Nato alliance close to breaking point
The West is discussing a new defence alliance format to replace Nato that would include Ukraine. Nato's current form is ineffective, so it is worth creating a new defence structure.
Grid constraints threaten Europe’s energy security ambitions
Europe risks undermining its energy security and industrial competitiveness due to insufficient electricity grid capacity, with at least 120 GW of planned renewable projects facing delays, according to a report by Ember.
Lithuania’s ruling coalition holds despite mounting dispute over new training ground
Lithuania’s governing coalition is expected to hold together despite mounting disagreements over plans to build a new military training ground in Kapciamiestis, leaders of the ruling parties, the SD.
Spain cuts the link between gas and power and has Europe’s cheapest power
A year ago this week, Spain’s grid ran entirely on renewable power for a full day for the first time ever. Wind, solar, and hydro met all the peninsula’s electricity demand on April 16.
Lithuania warns demographic decline could shrink economy by 7.2%
Economy and Innovations Minister Edvinas Griksas says due to negative demographic factors, Lithuania’s economy could be up to 7.2% smaller over the next 20 years than it would be under stable demographic conditions.
Lithuania’s PM downplays concerns over Nato unity after Trump’s threat to dump alliance
US president suggested Washington could reconsider its membership of Nato after the alliance declined to support his military action against Iran.
EV sales overtake petrol vehicles in EU for first time
Sales of EVs overtook standard petrol cars in the EU for the first time in December 2025, marking a milestone in the bloc’s transition to cleaner transport and reducing its reliance on oil imports.
Estonia to fortify grid with concrete shielding after drone hits power plant
Transmission system operator Elering is considering protective measures for key infrastructure based on Ukrainian experience.
Middle East conflict fallout to slow growth, push up inflation in Emerging Europe and Mediterranean region, EBRD says
Development bank says economic fallout is already spreading, through higher energy and fertiliser costs, damage to tourism and higher debt-servicing costs.
China becoming the first Electrostate
China is well on the way to becoming the world's first “Electrostate”. The nature of the global economy is changing. The carbon-based economy that has dominated since the industrial revolution giving away to a silicon-based economy.
EU delays Russian oil sanctions
The European Commission has removed a proposal to fully phase out Russian oil imports from its near-term agenda, delaying a key element of its RePowerEU strategy aimed at ending reliance on Moscow’s energy supplies.
Drones hit Estonian power plant chimney, crash in Latvia after Ukraine’s attack on Russia’s Primorsk
The Baltic states are experiencing spillover effects from a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Baltic seaport of Primorsk.
The death of coal power in the UK - OWID
The United Kingdom was the birthplace of coal. It has now, effectively, died there, Our World in Data reprots.