The Changes of Security Policies of Baltic States in the Context of Russian Aggression Against Ukraine

Abstract

The awareness of Russia as a threat to the Baltic States has not gone away since the Baltic States regained their independence in the 1990s. Nevertheless, knowledge differs from perception. Depending on domestic and foreign policies influenced by the Baltic governments, the diplomatic relations with Russia have evolved until 2014. No radical changes were in sight. Even after Russia invaded Georgia in 2008, the perception of Russia as a threat had not evolved into a perception. The security policy concepts of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia testify to that. The situation had changed only after the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, Ukraine. It was the time, when knowledge transformed into perception, both in diplomatic rhetoric and in individual security strategies of the Baltic States. The article provides an overview of the correlation of individual security policies of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia with the Russian aggression against Ukraine.