European countries, including Norway, Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states, are actively preparing for a potential war with Russia by increasing defense budgets and strengthening infrastructure. Some states, like Norway, are considering the possibility of confiscating civilian property for defense needs.
Estonia has expelled Russian citizen David Arutyunyan due to a national security threat. He spread Russian propaganda and was a reserve serviceman of the Russian Armed Forces.
Experts believe that Hiiumaa Island in the Baltic Sea could be seized by Russia, allowing it to control sea and air routes. This would create significant difficulties for the Baltic states and Finland.
Estonian Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi stated that financial support for Ukraine should take precedence over EU budgetary discipline. He emphasized the need to mobilize resources to counter the threat to liberal democracy.
Estonia has banned 261 Russian militants who fought against Ukraine from entering the country. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that this is just the beginning and called on other countries to follow suit.
Finnish authorities have lifted the arrest of the vessel Fitburg, which was detained on suspicion of sabotaging the Helsinki-Estonia telecommunications cable. Police have completed their work on board, but some crew members are prohibited from leaving Finland.
Finland officially withdrew from the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines on January 10, following similar steps by other countries. This decision allows Finland to once again use anti-personnel mines in its military arsenal.
Finnish police are investigating damage to a telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Tallinn. The cargo ship Fitburg, en route from St. Petersburg, dragged its anchor along the seabed, severing the communication line.
National security advisers from European countries have arrived in Kyiv. They will hold consultations on security and economic issues, and coordinate further steps with partners.
The 2026 European Fencing Championships in Tallinn are under threat of cancellation, as Estonia refuses to guarantee the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus. The International Fencing Federation demands written confirmation of the admission of all athletes, but the Estonian authorities do not issue visas to citizens of these countries.
EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas announced the strengthening of critical infrastructure after damage to underwater cables between Estonia and Finland. The EU will invest in new cables, enhance surveillance, and counter Moscow's shadow fleet.
A 23-year-old Ukrainian was detained at Okęcie Airport with a device that jams air communication frequencies. He was taken into custody after suspicious behavior and refusal to explain himself.
Finnish police detained the cargo ship "Fitburg", which was en route from St. Petersburg to Israel. It is suspected of sabotaging an underwater telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Estonia.
In England, trains were canceled and delayed on New Year's Eve due to the theft of 200 meters of signal cables between Doncaster and Sheffield. This led to the cancellation of 13 services and the delay of 83 trains for more than 15 hours.
Estonia will chair the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) format from January 1, 2026, coordinating the efforts of eight countries. Key priorities include supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on the aggressor.
Damage to the underwater telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Tallinn was recorded on December 31, 2025. Finnish police are investigating the incident, having identified a vessel with a dropped anchor chain in Finland's exclusive economic zone.
Since PURL was launched in August, 24 countries have joined it, and the total amount of contributions is $4. 3 billion. This allows for the purchase of American weapons, including missiles for Patriots, and strengthening Ukraine's defense.
Latvia has officially completed the construction of 280 km of engineering barriers on the border with Russia. This is the first stage of a comprehensive protection system, which is supplemented by modern video surveillance and technical monitoring systems.
Lithuania officially completed the procedure of withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention on December 27, which allows it to use and produce anti-personnel mines. The country plans to spend hundreds of millions of euros on the purchase and production of tens of thousands of units of ammunition.
Border guards prevented the occupiers from forcing the Lozova River and crossing the state border in the Kharkiv region.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced the full combat readiness of Estonian services to give armed resistance to any Russian provocations. Tallinn will no longer tolerate the appearance of soldiers without insignia on its territory.
According to Flightradar, Santa has already visited Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Sweden. He continues his journey across Europe.
The draw for the group stage of the 2026/2027 Nations League will take place on February 12, 2026, in Brussels. The Ukrainian national team will compete in League B.
Russian border guards on a hovercraft crossed the control line on the Narva River, landing on Estonian territory. Estonia has intensified patrols and will summon the chargé d'affaires of the Russian embassy for explanations.
US President Donald Trump will sign into law on December 18 the defense policy bill for fiscal year 2026, which regulates military pay raises and measures to respond to geopolitical threats, and also provides for the allocation of $800 million to Ukraine for the purchase of American weapons.
Professor Vadym Popko highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in Ukrainian diplomacy, referring to student works. Young people propose to institutionalize counter-disinformation and implement ethical AI mechanisms.
Three Russian border guards illegally crossed the border of Estonia, an EU and NATO member. They crossed the control line on the Narva River on foot and then returned to Russian territory.
Ukraine receives reinforcements for its air defense systems amid attacks, including automated turrets and missiles to destroy Russian drones, totaling £600 million. The supplies include modern air defense systems, as well as RAVEN and GRAVEHAWK systems for protection against low-flying targets and deep strikes.
Estonia has begun the construction of the first five of 600 defensive bunkers on the border with the Russian Federation, which are to be built by the end of 2027. These structures are designed to protect soldiers from artillery shells and are part of the Baltic defense line against potential attacks.
The Latvian government will allocate 2. 42 million euros to strengthen the protection of Riga Airport from unauthorized drone flights. The project envisages the introduction of modern technologies for detecting, identifying, tracking and neutralizing drones.
