Baltic States Disconnect From Russia's Power Grid

On February 8, the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania successfully disconnected from the Russian energy grid, marking a significant step towards energy independence and European integration. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa described the event as a historic milestone for energy security, allowing the region to control its own electricity supply without reliance on Moscow. The disconnection was celebrated as a victory against potential geopolitical manipulation by Russia, which previously used energy as a means of exerting influence. The Baltic states plan to synchronize with the European electricity grid by February 2025, following a commitment made in July 2024. Energy ministers expressed readiness for potential challenges during this transition, emphasizing the importance of modernizing the energy system and increasing renewable energy usage. The move comes as a response to heightened security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which spurred a shift away from Russian energy sources.