Baltic states cut power ties with Russia Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have officially disconnected their electricity systems from Russia's as the Baltic countries seek closer ties with the European Union and better national security.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna confirmed the aim of freeing themselves from Russian influence, saying ending the energy dependence of the Baltic states on Russia meant they are "leaving the aggressor without the option of using energy as a weapon against us".
Officials switched off the Soviet-era grid's transmission lines on Saturday, they said, and, after the Baltic Power System operates independently for 24 hours, they will join the European energy networks on Sunday afternoon through several links with Finland, Sweden, and Poland.
To that end they have spent around €1.6bn (£1.3bn) upgrading their grids, while Moscow has spent 100 billion roubles (£806,000), boosting its Kaliningrad exclave, located between Lithuania, Poland and the Baltic Sea, which is cut off from Russia's main grid.
Lithuania's energy minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas told reporters the Baltic energy system "is finally in our hands, we are in full control".
