Report
Lithuania Weekly: Žemaitaitis’ Scandal Downplayed by Pro-Kremlin Media
Over the past week, Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania focused on downplaying fears about Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine, portraying him as a peace-seeking leader and dismissing criticism of his foreign policy as hypocrisy. At the same time, these outlets amplified narratives that Western governments exaggerate the Russian threat to serve the interests of the military-industrial complex, accusing Lithuania of fearmongering to justify increased defense spending. Meanwhile, while Lithuanian media erupted over the Remigijus Žemaitaitis scandal, pro-Kremlin sources largely ignored it or framed him as a victim of political persecution rather than a politician caught deceiving his supporters.
Weekly Reports
Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin Media Portrays Shift Toward a Multipolar World
Kremlin-backed media portrayed the BRICS group as an emerging global force poised to challenge the current world order. These outlets emphasized the alleged decline of U.S. dominance, pointing to the summit as evidence of a growing multipolar world led by powers like China and Russia.
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Latvia Weekly: Farmers Voice Concerns Over EU Regulations
Latvian farmers are raising concerns about the European Union’s agricultural policies, which they argue have burdened the industry with excessive bureaucracy. Critics say that these regulations hinder productivity and place additional strain on an already challenging sector.
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Estonia Weekly: Voting Rights Debate
Recent discussions in Estonian media highlight disagreements over the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian residents from voting in local elections.
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Lithuania Weekly: “Foxpay” Scandal and Election Echoes
Lithuanian prosecutors have launched a major investigation into financial technology company Foxpay, suspecting property crimes and corruption. Key individuals, including Ieva Trinkūnaitė and Mindaugas Navickas, have been detained amid allegations of money laundering and bribery. Meanwhile, Kremlin-aligned media focused on election transparency concerns and highlighted claims of a mass surrender by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, further attempting to undermine Ukraine’s war effort.
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Latvia Weekly: Narratives of NATO Distrust and EU Criticism Amid Migrant Debate
During the examined week, key narratives centered on distrust in NATO unity and negative sentiment toward EU policies on migration and climate change. An opposition party member claimed that while Eastern Europe faces war on its borders, Western Europe battles a “war on its streets” caused by migrants, described as uncivilized and a societal threat. TikTok remained the leading platform for reach and engagement, especially among Russian and Latvian-speaking audiences, while activity on X (formerly Twitter) declined.
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Estonia Weekly: Allegations of Corruption and Inequality
This week saw strong anti-government sentiment, with claims that Estonia and the West are propaganda tools for Ukraine. Most posts focused on the 2025 budget, alleging tax increases for the poor and cuts for the wealthy, alongside accusations of European Parliament corruption and police inaction.
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Lithuania Weekly: Elections Finally Taking Place
Last week’s media focus was on the Parliament elections, with many candidates adopting anti-government positions. Petras Gražulis, an MEP, posted Facebook reels criticizing the ruling government and promoting his nationalist party. Irma Gajauskaitė, a candidate from the Union of People and Justice, was detained after encouraging violence in a Facebook video. As election results began to come in, discussions about the transparency of the process surfaced, and anti-government narratives are expected to continue until the second round.
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Latvia Weekly: Disinformation on the EU Green Deal and Corruption
The content of the examined week focused on disinformation regarding the EU Green Deal and alleged corruption in the Latvian government. The Green Deal was portrayed as harmful to lower economic groups and Latvia as a whole, with claims of it being a tool for corrupt EU bureaucrats. Disinformation actors also denied the existence of climate change. TikTok saw the highest engagement across both Russian and Latvian-speaking audiences, while activity on X decreased.
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Estonia Weekly: Escalating Anti-Government Sentiment and Disinformation
In the reporting week, anti-government sentiment in Estonia surged, with criticism of the economy and claims that politicians, including Tallinn’s mayor, were breaking promises. Reports also surfaced alleging Ukraine’s use of disguised bioweapons and some Estonian media calling for the genocide of Russians, heightening social tensions.
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