Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have requested the EU to assist them pay for brand new fortifications alongside their borders with Russia and its ally, Belarus.
The defence ministers of the 4 international locations met on Friday within the metropolis of Daugavpils in Latvia to debate the financing of the so-called Baltic Defence Line.
“The necessity for a defence line stems from the safety scenario and helps Nato’s new ahead defence idea,” mentioned Estonian defence minister Hanno Pevkur.
“On the similar time, it strengthens the safety of the European Union and the navy defence of its borders, which is why we clearly see that the European Union might additionally financially help the mission.”
Assist from Poland might strengthen their case.
Hanno Pevkur additionally mooted cooperation with Finland.
“Russia’s struggle towards Ukraine has proven that creating bodily obstacles on an open floor with no pure defensive cowl is paramount even in technologically superior warfare,” mentioned a joint assertion from the 4 ministers.
“Because the threats at our frontier are more and more rising, ramping up fortifications alongside the border with Russia and Belarus stays a high-priority contributing to our pledge to defend each inch of Allied territory.”
Bunkers and dragon’s enamel
Poland borders Belarus and Ukraine to the east, and Russia’s Baltic enclave Kaliningrad to the north. In Might, Prime Minister Donald Tusk mentioned €2.3bn could be spent on its so-called East Defend border fortifications.
Transferring north, Lithuania borders Kaliningrad to the southwest and Belarus to the east. It has earmarked €150m for border safety, having beforehand obtained €60m from the EU.
Latvia borders Russia and Belarus to its east. In March, its authorities authorised €303m to be spent over 5 years. Work contains digging up dozens of roads on the border to stop their use in an incursion, constructing anti-tank ditches, and putting in pyramidal tank blockers, often called dragon’s enamel, and minefields.
North of Latvia, Estonia is spending €60m constructing 600 bunkers alongside its border with Russia.
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