The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has fundamentally reshaped the European security landscape. Countless examples such as the Bucha massacre and the destruction of Mariupol, have exposed the brutality of Russian aggression in Ukraine. In response, NATO, the European Union (EU), and individual European nations have mobilized unprecedented political, military, financial, and humanitarian support for Ukraine to uphold its fundamental right to self-defence and encourage its eventual path into EU and NATO membership. What began as a debate over the provision of helmets and limited financial aid has rapidly evolved into the supply of advanced weaponry and even discussions of NATO troops on Ukrainian soil. This shift highlights the sudden realization that Ukraine’s fight is not just isolated on its own, but a defining battle for the future of European security and sovereignty.
The Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) are among the most vulnerable on the European continent. Not only do they share a direct border with Russia, but they are also witnesses of a long and painful history of Soviet occupation. From the start, the Baltic states have collectively been at the forefront of unwavering support for Ukraine, warning that anything less will not stop Russia from going further. Given their relatively small economies and limited military capabilities, the Baltic states have taken a different path to influence European security policy. They have leveraged the power of rhetoric and historical memory to fuel the urgency of decisive support for Ukraine.
For the Baltic states, historical memory is not just a reflection of the past. It is a driving force in shaping their national identity and remains a critical component in their foreign policy strategy. This article explores how Baltic political leaders have skillfully employed rhetoric and historical memory to mobilize support for Ukraine, strengthen European unity, bolster military cooperation, and effectively counterbalance Russian threats. By examining the official narratives of Baltic leaders, this analysis highlights how these small nations have played an important role in shaping Europe’s collective response to Russian aggression since February 2022.
Historical Context and the Vulnerability of the Baltic Sea Region
The Baltic states share a deep-rooted history of resistance against Russian imperialism. During World War II, after the Soviets “liberated” the Baltic states from the Nazis, they were occupied by and forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940. Decades of repression, human suffering, forced deportations, and political persecution followed. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of this dark chapter in the Baltics’ history and allowed them to reclaim their independence. This was the start of a new, clear trajectory: aligning with the West by embracing liberal democracy, free-market economies, and Euro-Atlantic integration. Their successful reforms in the 1990s and the beginning 2000s paved the way for EU and NATO accession in 2004, which was considered a decisive break from their Soviet past.
Situated along NATO’s eastern flank, the Baltic states’ geographical proximity to Russia makes them particularly vulnerable to rising Russian aggression. With small populations and limited defence capabilities, they heavily rely on NATO’s collective security guarantees under Article 5, stating that an attack on one is an attack on all. The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO has further intensified NATO’s presence in the region and expanded the Alliance’s direct border with Russia to around 2,500 kilometres. Together with the recent frequent sabotage of undersea power cables in the Baltic Sea, this has considerably intensified regional tensions, raising concerns about a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.
Ukraine as a Defender of European Security and Values
A central theme in Baltic political discourse is that Ukraine is not only the defender of its own sovereignty and territorial integrity but also the frontline defender of European security and values. The Baltic states stand at the forefront of European leadership, making the world clear that the war in Ukraine is not just Ukraine’s war; it is a war of us all. As former Estonian PM Kaja Kallas powerfully states: “Ukraine is not fighting for Ukraine [only], it is also fighting for Europe”[1]. Former Latvian President Egils Levits agrees that “the attack is in principle not only on Ukraine but also on the Western democracies and Western values” and that “Ukraine is defending our values now with human lives”[2]. He adds that if Europe does not stand firmly with Ukraine, it risks betraying “the values on which the EU is founded,” and stresses that “Europe must be on the right side of history. That means on the side of Ukraine”[3].
In line with this, all Baltic leaders emphasize that Russian aggression in Ukraine is not isolated. They do not just concern Ukraine, nor only Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as Russia’s neighbours. Rather, Russian aggression is a threat to the European and global security framework. As Kallas warns, “Russia poses a real threat and when aggression pays off in Ukraine, there is no stopping there and the whole security of Europe is under real threat”[4], and “If Russia wins in Ukraine, we have to worry about NATO being next”[5]. Therefore, Levits underscores that helping Ukraine is not only important for Ukraine or Latvia, but “for all European states, for all NATO states, for all states of the European Union”[6]. With this, they all stress that the war in Ukraine is a product of Russia’s expansionist drive, and if left unchecked, it will pose a direct threat to NATO and the liberal core values of democracy, sovereignty, and individual freedom that European nations hold dear.
As the most vocal advocates for Ukraine, the Baltic states are the strategic frontrunners in pushing the boundaries for support for Ukraine. By urging Europe to recognize this war as a collective responsibility, they emphasize that ensuring a Ukrainian victory is not just an act of solidarity, but a necessary step to defend a strong, sovereign, and free European future. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda reinforces that “we need to support Ukraine by all means, not only militarily, but also politically, economically, and financially”[7]. Latvian PM Evika Siliņa adds: “What Ukraine asks, we have to give them”[8]. Therefore, no option should be ruled out to optimally resist Russian aggression, secure a Ukrainian victory, and protect Europe’s future.
The Baltic leaders have been spreading this message from the beginning. As early frontrunners, they emphasize that “we as a country were among those who started to [support Ukraine] from the beginning” (Ingrida Šimonytė)[9], that “Latvians were the first who gave military aid to Ukraine and that’s why Kyiv is free from Russians” (Evika Siliņa)[10]. If other European nations had followed the Baltic states’ example, the situation today in Europe would be in a much stronger position to counter Russian aggression. As Levits puts it: “If NATO and our Western alliance would react earlier (…) we would not have this war today, so this is a failure of the Western alliance”[11]. Kallas urges European nations to do more: “If we can do it with 1.3 million people, then bigger countries can do much, much more”[12].
European Unity as Our Strength
In line with the previous element, all the Baltic leaders emphasised that European unity is the foundation of the continent’s strength. They stand at the forefront to advocate that it is through Europe’s political, military, and economic unity that we can create a resilient and coherent response to Russian aggression. This does not only concern military coordination but also cherishes Europe’s shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. As Estonian President Alar Karis states, “Our unity is the basis of NATO’s strength”[13]. Kallas further stresses, “If every army of the European Union is stronger, then we are stronger together (…) We should do this together so the European Union can be defended properly”[14]. Levits echoes this sentiment, noting, “This is the sense why the European Union was founded: to be together stronger as alone”[15].
The war in Ukraine, in their view, is a defining test of Europe’s resilience, strategic patience, and long-term commitment. As Kallas puts it, “Putin will come to test us (…) we will have to resist (…) This will require a sustained effort from all of us”[16]. As former Latvian President Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš strongly asserts: “Nation states individually are vulnerable but collectively we are very, very strong”[17].
To be continued…
[1] Reuters. (2022, 9 March). LIVE: EU parliament, Estonian PM debate European security after Ukraine invasion [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5b-ImwTNBk
[2] ITV News. (2022, 28 February). “A nuclear option is suicide for Russia” warns Latvia’s President Egils Levits | ITV News [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r7ZL6IHNTg
[3] European Parliament. (2023, 14 February). Latvian President Egils Levits addresses the European Parliament [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP1nzi0mkec
[4] EenVandaag. (2023, 20 March). De oorlog in Oekraïne voelt voor veel Esten persoonlijk, ook voor premier Kaja Kallas: “Het heeft alle oude wonden weer opengereten” [Video]. https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/item/de-oorlog-in-oekraine-voelt-voor-veel-esten-persoonlijk-ook-voor-premier-kaja-kallas-het-heeft-oude-wonden-opengereten/
[5] Sky News. (2024, 28 February). Estonian PM warns West “all options must be on the table” in Ukraine [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxrH-nA4vpk
[6] CNBC International Live. (2023, 16 January). Latvia’s president says providing Ukraine with military assistance is the ‘absolute priority’ [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVi3N6dsDeM
[7] CNBC International Live. (2023, January 17). Lithuania’s president says sanctions on Russia must go further [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJq9l8UQ0n4
[8] Bloomberg Podcasts. (2024, 14 March). Latvian Prime Minister on War in Ukraine, Need for More Aid [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfJlnqGyhlk
[9] Washington Post Live. (2022, 28 February). Lithuanian Prime Minister says she sees ‘little chance’ of President Putin succeeding [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz857GUdaUE
[10] Bloomberg Podcasts. (2024, 14 March). Latvian Prime Minister on War in Ukraine, Need for More Aid [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfJlnqGyhlk
[11] Washington Post Live. (2022, March 25). Latvia’s President says the Western alliance’s failure to strongly react to prior invasions led to war [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VJL6sM6QDo
[12] PBS NewsHour. (2022, 30 March). Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on the war in Ukraine and the Russian threat [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijLFTxLDw_4
[13] NATO News. (2024, 23 October). NATO Secretary General with the President of Estonia, Alar Karis, at Tapa Army Base, 23 OCT 2024 [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoymlFmJSXY
[14] EU Debates. (2022, 10 March). Kaja Kallas Estonian PM EU debates in European Parliament about Russia’s aggression against Ukraine [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL6wZyEnj1U
[15] Roberta Metsola. (2023, 14 February). Press Point with the President of Latvia Egils Levits – 14th February 2023 [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6lFT61kRpg
[16] Reuters. (2022, 9 March). LIVE: EU parliament, Estonian PM debate European security after Ukraine invasion [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5b-ImwTNBk
[17] Європейська правда. (2023, 20 March). “No Chance for Ukraine to Lose” US-born PM of Latvia, interview on future of Russia and Europe [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YTBfmmZTJY