Report
Latvia Weekly: Exploiting Trump’s Radical Ideas
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels are leveraging Donald Trump’s statements to spread narratives that aim to undermine NATO alliances and normalize Russia’s territorial ambitions. The channels circulate various themes, including claims about American companies resuming business with Russia, false historical narratives about the Baltic states, and allegations of Western media bias and censorship.
Weekly Reports
Latvia Weekly: Exploiting Trump’s Radical Ideas
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels are leveraging Donald Trump’s statements to spread narratives that aim to undermine NATO alliances and normalize Russia’s territorial ambitions. The channels circulate various themes, including claims about American companies resuming business with Russia, false historical narratives about the Baltic states, and allegations of Western media bias and censorship.
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Lithuania Weekly: Shift Towards Ukraine-Related Matters
Last week, Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania targeted the country’s support for Ukraine, portraying it as ineffective and corrupt. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was accused of pursuing “utopian objectives” that escalate the conflict, while Lithuania was framed as being drawn into unnecessary militarisation, with citizens allegedly prepared to become “cogs in the war machine.” These narratives aimed to erode public support for Ukraine, amplify distrust in Western alliances, and undermine confidence in Lithuania’s foreign and security policies.
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Latvia Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Predictions for 2025
At the turn of 2025, Kremlin-aligned Telegram channels issued predictions heavily focused on Donald Trump’s potential positive impact on Russia, forecasting a dramatic decline in U.S. global leadership and engagement. This would result in the decline of Europe and NATO and the rise of Russia. Only “fools” think that Russia will be defeated in Ukraine.
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Estonia Weekly: Air Baltic Flight Cancellations Ignite Criticism
Excerpt: A Soviet song during ETV+’s New Year’s Eve TV concert was criticised for promoting the Soviet era, while others argued against Russophobia. The cancellation of Air Baltic flights revived old accusations of wasting taxpayers’ money and prompted criticism of the Estonian authorities.
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Lithuania Weekly: Festive Season, Same Agenda
Amid the festive Christmas season, Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania continued its routine of targeting the government with a broad range of criticisms. This week, YouTube videos dominated the conversation, mocking politicians and questioning the country’s sovereignty. Popular narratives included claims of an “Earthquake in the ruling coalition,” an “avalanche of government secrets,” and skepticism over Lithuania’s energy independence. These narratives aimed to undermine trust in the government and reinforce doubts about national progress and independence.
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Latvia Weekly: Trump’s Territorial Proposals
Social media posts amplified Trump’s statements about US territorial expansion (regarding Canada, Panama, and Greenland). While mostly factual, this messaging undermines international norms by promoting a transactional view of territorial sovereignty. Such rhetoric inadvertently aligns with Russian interests by normalizing territorial claims based on historical or economic arguments—similar to those used to justify Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
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Estonia Weekly: Sabotage of Undersea Power Cables
Estonia’s energy dependence and inability to secure underwater cables have been criticized on social media, with Estonian and Finnish authorities blaming Russian hybrid interference. Tallinn’s Christmas market closure, criticized by Russian-speaking users, has led to accusations of Russophobia, with some suggesting it should remain open until Orthodox Christmas.
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Lithuania Weekly: Make russia Small Again
The disqualification of Lithuanian athlete Kornelija Dūdaitė at the 2024 Functional Sports World Championships in Budapest highlighted the intersection of sports and politics. Wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “make russia small again” in protest against perceived violations of neutrality rules for Russian athletes, Dūdaitė’s act sparked widespread debate. While she received domestic praise for her principled stance, Kremlin-aligned media framed her protest as Russophobia and defended her disqualification as a necessary stand against politicizing sports. The incident underscored deeply polarized views on Russia’s role in international events, reflecting the broader societal divide on geopolitical issues.
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Latvia Weekly: Accusations of a Rebirth of Nazism
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels falsely portrayed Latvia as Nazi sympathizers. Additional baseless claims accused Latvia’s government of intentionally decreasing its population under secret EU directives. Notable propaganda posts included unsubstantiated accusations of historical revisionism in Latvian textbooks and mockery of Prime Minister Evika Silina. These narratives aimed to undermine Baltic opposition to Russian policies by depicting these states as both Nazi sympathizers and irrationally anti-Russian.
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