The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have successfully cut their power links with Russia's BRELL network as part of a broader energy security initiative. This move, prompted by ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly following Russia's actions in Ukraine, aims to integrate these nations with the European Union's energy system. Lithuanian officials emphasized the importance of this step in removing Russia's leverage over their energy supplies and ensuring stability. As they transition to the EU grid, concerns over sabotage incidents in the region have increased, underscoring the geopolitical risks involved in their energy strategy.
We are now removing Russia's ability to use the electricity system as a tool of geopolitical blackmail, Lithuanian Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas said.
The longstanding plan to integrate with the European grid gained momentum following Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and was accelerated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The three countries will operate in isolated mode for about 24 hours before synchronising with the EU grid via Poland on Sunday.
More recently, there has been a spate of suspected sabotage incidents in the Baltic Sea in which vital infrastructure, including power and gas, have been affected.
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