Latest news with #Baltics'
DW
22-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Inside Europe 22 May 2025 – DW – 05/22/2025
Kate Laycock 05/22/2025 May 22, 2025 On the show this week: Poland's presidential elections reveal a country on a knife-edge, Exercise Hedgehog in Estonia and the Baltics' hybrid warfare fears. Plus a Hungarian spy ring, Icelandic intrigue, Swiss bunkers, and Syrians returning home from Europe. A security special packed with stories from the frontlines of Europe's shifting geopolitics.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Estonia Unleashes Ida Hub Film and Innovation Center
Known as a tech-savvy country where Skype was invented, Estonia is making a new leap forward by unleashing the Baltics' first ever hub where creatives, tech pros and entrepreneurs can unite to lift the regional audiovisual sector to new levels. The Ida Hub film and multimedia centre is being built in Eastern Estonia's Ida-Viru county, near the Russian border. It combines state-of -the-art studios due to open in 2026 and skills development. Closely associated with the project is the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. More from Variety Tallinn Festival Hosts Baltic Goes to Cannes Showcase Creative Gate Opens Estonian Biz to the World Cannes' Focus COPRO Unveils Its Magnificent Seven: A 'Key Opportunity to Discover Talented Filmmakers' The $18.2 million Ida Hub complex, funded by the E.U.'s Just Transition Fund, will house a soundstage of 21,500 square feet, a smaller multifunction studio, post-production and creative industry spaces. Spearheading the venture are three partners: Ida Viru Investment Agency (IVIA), in charge of the whole complex, the Ida-Viru Business Centre (IVEK) which runs Estonia's first regional Viru Film Fund and incubates future film industry talents; and Tehnopol, the largest science and business park in the Baltics, which houses a film tech startup by the government and the E.U., the project was driven by the need to rebuild the economic structure of the region which used to be a mining industrial centre until its decline in the 1990s. As explained by IVIA's Teet Kuusmik, one of the priorities was 'to find new ways to attract the younger generation; this is when we got the idea to invest in film and multimedia infrastructure, and to create a magnet for new talent.' For him the goal is both to attract international productions and young local talents, while 'providing creative people with opportunities for self-realization in the film industry.' Teaming up with Tehnopol, 'one of the region's most successful IT incubators and startup accelerators' was a major step, he says, as well as securing support from IVEK. At the Ida Hub, Tehnopol runs the 'Film and Multimedia Accelerator' for startups working notably in multimedia, virtual, augmented reality and AI. Program manager Olga Kurdovskaja says 11 startups so far have signed up, including teams integrating AI into content creation, working on virtual location scouting, and developing modular studio infrastructure. One of the active participants is VisioTag which is 'developing a tool that helps media professionals and influencers accelerate video tagging and streamline post-production workflow.' Also present is the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival's Creative Industry Hub startup and its dual AI solutions: SUSI AI and its recommendations and event navigation tool for festival visitors and professionals, and Creative Gate, a platform connecting the Estonian creative industry with the international community. At the Marché du Film Cannes Next showcase, Tehnopol will be looking for new networking and business opportunities for themselves and their startups. Meanwhile Ida Hub's second major training gig, the Film Industry Incubation program, run by IVEK, is described by coordinator Britta Merirand, as a 'hands-on training initiative for professionals and entrepreneurs eager to enter the industry. The match-making program focuses on 'essential behind-the scenes-roles, from logistics to catering, photography and coordination.' Marge Liiske, head of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, underlines the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (known as PÖFF) 's contribution to transforming the Ida-Viru region from a declining industrial area into an innovative film and multimedia hub. 'Alongside running KinoFF – the easternmost satellite of the Black Nights Film Festival – and enriching the region's cultural scene for years, PÖFF launched its hands-on training program in Ida-Viru in 2022 to help locals with no prior film experience gain the skills needed to work on film sets. With the second round rolling out in 2024–2025, these new talents will hopefully form a strong pool of crew members for the international film studio complex, set to open in 2026. Together, these long-term efforts are helping to turn Ida-Viru into Estonia's second major audiovisual hub,' she says. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Al Jazeera
10-02-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Why have Baltic states unplugged from Russia's electricity grid?
The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have officially severed the flow of electricity between themselves and Russia after officials switched off the Soviet-era grid's transmission lines and joined the rest of Europe. This came more than three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending the Baltics' final energy ties to oil- and gas-rich Russia. For the three countries, as well as the rest of Europe, the move was steeped in geopolitical and symbolic significance. Here's what you need to know about the Baltic countries ending electricity ties with Russia: What happened? On Saturday, all remaining transmission lines between the Baltic countries and Russia, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, wedged between EU members Poland and Lithuania and the Baltic Sea, were switched off one by one. For 24 hours after detaching from the Soviet-era grid, the Baltic Power System operated independently before being merged with European energy networks on Sunday afternoon. After disconnecting from the IPS/UPS network, the Baltic nations cut cross-border high-voltage transmission lines in eastern Latvia, some 100 metres from the Russian border, handing out pieces of chopped wire to enthusiastic bystanders as keepsakes. Analysts say that maintaining a constant power supply requires a stable grid frequency, which can more easily be obtained over time in a large synchronised area such as Russia or continental Europe, compared with what the Baltics can do on their own. Why were they getting their electricity from Russia, and why did they stop? The Baltic states inherited their electricity infrastructure from the Soviet Union, established in the 1950s, and remained part of Russia's BRELL network even after gaining independence in 1990. Although they stopped buying Russian electricity after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, their power grids remained physically connected to Russia and Belarus. This meant their electricity supply was still controlled from Moscow, leaving their factories and essential facilities dependent on Russia for stable power. How much did Russia provide electricity to these states? According to a report by Free Policy Briefs, a publication affiliated with the Forum for Research on Eastern Europe and Emerging Economies (FREE Network), the Baltic states imported approximately 10 percent of their electricity from Russia before 2022. Where will the Baltic states now get their electricity from? The power system has been merged with the European energy networks through several links with Finland, Sweden and Poland. What does it mean for the Baltic states? The severing of electricity was praised by the European Commission and the Baltic states. 'The Baltic energy system is finally in our hands, we are in full control,' Lithuania's Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunass said. The country's president, Gitanas Nauseda, told The Associated Press news agency that it was a 'historic moment, marking the end of a long journey for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia'. 'From now on, we have achieved full energy independence. The period of political pressure and blackmail is finally over,' the president said. The EU welcomed the Baltic states joining its electric grid. 'Russia can no longer use energy as a tool of blackmail,' said Kaja Kallas, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. Kallas was Estonia's first female prime minister, from 2021 to 2024. What does it mean for Russia? The decoupling means Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, located between Lithuania, Poland and the Baltic Sea, is cut off from Russia's main grid — it must now maintain its power system alone. The Kremlin said it has taken all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted, reliable operation of its electricity system, including the construction of several gas-fired power plants in Kaliningrad. 'Electricity lines with Russia and Belarus are being dismantled. These chains of power lines linking you to hostile neighbours will be a thing of the past,' said Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president. What are the concerns going forward? Authorities have warned of potential risks, including sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. 'Various short-term risks are possible, such as kinetic operations against critical infrastructure, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns,' Lithuania's state security department told the AFP news agency. The Baltic Sea region is on high alert following power cable, telecom and gas pipeline outages between the Baltics and Sweden or Finland. All were believed to have been caused by ships dragging anchors along the seabed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia has denied any involvement. 'Recent incidents involving undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea provide a matter of great concern. And a call for resolute action,' said Lithuanian President Nausda. Poland and the Baltics deployed navy assets, elite police units and helicopters to monitor the area after an undersea power link from Finland to Estonia was damaged in December, while Lithuania's military began drills to protect the overland connection to Poland. Analysts say any further damage to links could push power prices in the Baltics to levels not seen since the invasion of Ukraine, when energy prices soared. Poland's power grid operator PSE said it will use helicopters and drones to patrol the connection with Lithuania.
Arab Times
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
3 Baltic states disconnect from Soviet-era grid to merge with European energy system
VILNIUS, Lithuania, Feb 10, (AP): The flow of electricity between the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and Russia was officially severed Saturday morning after officials switched off the Soviet-era grid's transmission lines and prepared to join the rest of Europe on Sunday. This came more than three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending the Baltics' final ties to oil- and gas-rich Russia. For the three countries, as well as the rest of Europe, the move was steeped in geopolitical and symbolic significance. "The Baltic energy system is finally in our hands, we are in full control,' Lithuania Energy minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas told reporters. On Saturday, all remaining transmission lines between them and Russia, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, wedged between EU members Poland and Lithuania and the sea, were switched off one by one. Lithuania first - where a specially-made 9-meter (about 29-foot) tall clock in downtown Vilnius counted down the final seconds - then Latvia a few minutes later, followed by Estonia. For 24 hours after detaching from the Soviet-era grid, the Baltic Power System will operate independently. If all goes as planned, the power system will merge with the European energy networks on Sunday afternoon through several links with Finland, Sweden and Poland. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the presidents of Poland and the Baltic states, are expected for a ceremony in Vilnius on Sunday evening along with other dignitaries. The Baltic countries, which are all NATO members, have often had chilly ties with Russia since declaring independence from the USSR in 1990 - and relations soured further over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sixteen power lines that used to connect the Baltic states with Russia and Belarus were dismantled over in recent years as a new grid linking them with the rest of the EU was created, including underwater cables in the Baltic Sea. "This is physical disconnection from the last remaining element of our reliance on the Russian and Belarusian energy system,' Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda told The Associated Press in a recent interview.
Euronews
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Baltic states connect to EU electricity after ditching Russian supply
Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania all joined the European electricity system on Sunday with a ceremony highlighting the historical significance of no longer relying on Russia for its electricity. "We did it!" Edgars Rinkēvičs, the president of Latvia, posted on X: It came more than three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending the Baltics' final ties to oil- and gas-rich Russia. For the three countries, as well as the rest of Europe, the move was steeped in geopolitical and symbolic significance. On Saturday, all remaining transmission lines between them and Russia, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, wedged between EU members Poland and Lithuania and the sea, were switched off one by one. Lithuania first — where a specially-made 9-metre tall clock in downtown Vilnius had counted down the final seconds — then Latvia a few minutes later, followed by Estonia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the presidents of Poland and the Baltic states, were to attend a ceremony in Vilnius on Sunday evening along with other dignitaries. The Baltic countries, which are all NATO members, have often had difficult ties with Russia since declaring independence from the USSR in 1990 — and relations reached a new low over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sixteen power lines that used to connect the Baltic states with Russia and Belarus were dismantled in recent years as a new grid linking them with the rest of the EU was created, including underwater cables in the Baltic Sea. The three Baltic countries, which together have a 1,633-kilometre-long border with Russia and Belarus, informed Moscow and Minsk of the disconnection plan in 2024 to head off any hostile reaction.
