Baltic states ditch Russian power grid as they move closer to EU Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania disconnected their electricity systems from Russia’s power grid on Saturday in a bid to seek closer ties with the EU and boost national security.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: "By ending the energy dependence of the Baltic states on Russia, we are leaving the aggressor without the option of using energy as a weapon against us.”.
Lithuania’s energy minister, Zygimantas Vaiciunas told a press conference the Baltic energy system "is finally in our hands, we are in full control".
The power grid was the final remaining link the three countries had to Russia, after they became independent nations in the early 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union.
An army truck was spotted at the Rezekne power substation near the Latvia-Russia border, with armed officers patrolling the area and the nearby town, reflecting Baltic concerns over potential sabotage aimed at disrupting the switch.
