A letter seen by RFE/RL, partners of LRT English, reveals growing concern about Russian aggression in the Baltic states, speaking of a "deteriorating security environment" amid an "increased frequency of airspace violations and drone incursions".
The letter was sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and signed by the three Baltic European commissioners, Kaja Kallas, Andrius Kubilius, and Valdis Dombrovskis, as well as the Polish and Finnish commissioners.
Dated July 30, the letter was one of a series of alarm bells sounded about Russian aggression over the course of the summer that culminated in CIA Director John Ratcliffe's surprise visit to Moscow on August 25.
Ratcliffe flew to Moscow to urge the Kremlin against escalating with US allies -- particularly Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania -- sources briefed about the visit confirmed to RFE/RL on August 26.
This follows reporting by The Wall Street Journal on August 6 that cited US intelligence stating that Russia may test NATO resolve with a limited incursion as early as this fall.
