Baltic states reject Russian claims in joint demarche at Moscow foreign ministry

Representatives of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia delivered a joint demarche at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow on Thursday, rejecting recent false claims by Russian officials, ELTA reports.

The temporary charges d’affaires of the three Baltic states denied allegations made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin on July 4, reiterating that the Baltic countries have not opened their airspace for attacks on targets within Russia. They also referenced a joint statement by their foreign ministers on April 10, which condemned Russian disinformation.

“Despite the consistent and clear official positions expressed at various levels by Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, the Russian side continues to spread lies and escalate the situation. The Baltic states reject Russia’s claims as completely unfounded,” the joint press release stated. It added that drone incursions into Baltic airspace are a consequence of Russia’s large-scale war of aggression against Ukraine.

The diplomats also dismissed other false statements by Russian foreign ministry officials, emphasizing that Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania fully uphold the rule of law for all their residents. They described the Russian claims as baseless and part of a deliberate disinformation campaign.

“The Baltic states’ temporary charges d’affaires took the opportunity to once again urge Russia to end its war of aggression against Ukraine. They also expressed strong support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as well as Ukraine’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter,” the statement read.

Russia has previously accused the Baltic states of allowing their territory to be used by Ukraine to launch attacks against Russia, allegations that the three countries have repeatedly denied.