The Baltician countries have thus achieved full energy independence from Russia.
The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the European electricity network. On Sunday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced it, TASR reports according to AFP.
“I got great news a while ago. The synchronization of the Electric System of the Baltic States with the Continental European System has been successfully completed, “Nauseda told reporters in Vilnius.
“This is a historical moment that means the end of a long journey … We have achieved complete energy independence. The period of political pressure and blackmail (Moscow) has finally ended, “he said in the company of Estonian and Latvian colleagues and President of the European Commission Ursula von Der Leyen and the Polish President.
The Baltic countries were integrated through Poland into the European network. A total of EUR 1.6 billion was invested in the new electrical interconnection of the Baltic States and Poland mostly from EU funds.
The attacks in the Baltic Sea cause concern
“Now is the time to ensure our achievements. Russia’s war against Ukraine has radically changed the perception of threats to critical infrastructure in Europe … Recent incidents on the underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea arouse great concerns, “he added.
Some experts and politicians consider this part of the Russian “hybrid war”.
After disconnecting from the Russian network, three Baltic countries on Saturday worked in the so -called “isolated mode” and tested the frequency of their networks, power levels and the ability to control them.
Three Baltic States of the Soviet Red Army occupied in 1940 after the Communist Soviet Union and Nazi Germany divided Europe into a sphere of influence. Their declaration of independence in 1990 started the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 2004 they became members of NATO and the European Union. They have been prepared for a long time for connection to the European electricity network.
The disconnection from the Russian network was accelerated by Moscow’s aggression against Kiev and, after February 26, 2022, a full -format war, which it unleashed in Ukraine. The Baltic States are afraid that they could be another destination for Moscow, and the Russian electricity network can no longer serve as a pressure weapon against them.
