President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Anatolii Kutsevol from the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Latvia. Kutsevol held this position since December 2022, and before that worked in the Cabinet of Ministers and the Presidential Administration.
Polish and Baltic officials sharply reacted to statements by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who, in their opinion, partially blamed them for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Merkel pointed to the refusal of Eastern European countries to engage in direct negotiations with Putin in 2021.
Five tankers from Russia's sanctions-evading armada have left oil slicks off the coast of Europe. This highlights the continent's inability to curb Moscow's shadow fleet.
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko, during his visits to London and The Hague, emphasized the need to bring the highest leaders of the Russian Federation to justice for the crime of aggression. He discussed issues of the Special Tribunal, extradition, asset forfeiture, and sanctions circumvention.
On Saturday evening, the airspace over Vilnius International Airport was restricted, likely due to spotted balloons. Flights are being diverted to alternate airfields in Kaunas, Riga, and Gdansk.
The G7+ group held an urgent meeting due to Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Over 100 representatives from countries and international organizations discussed the consequences of the strikes and the immediate needs for recovery.
In the second quarter of 2025, renewable energy sources generated 54% of the EU's clean electricity, surpassing last year's figure. Solar energy became the largest source of electricity in the EU in June 2025.
President Zelenskyy announced the receipt of funding for 4 aid packages for the purchase of American weapons within the framework of the PURL initiative. The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Canada have contributed a total of over $2 billion.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt plans to change the rules for combating drones, allowing the destruction of drones by the armed forces in the event of an immediate threat. This includes strengthening penalties for illegal entry into airport territory and expanding technical measures.
NATO Chiefs of Staff discussed recent airspace violations by Russian forces. The President of Latvia called for strengthening air defense and transforming Baltic air policing into an air defense mission.
German company Rheinmetall and the Latvian state defense corporation are establishing a joint venture for the production of ammunition in Latvia. Investments in the project will amount to €275 million, which will allow the production of tens of thousands of artillery shells annually.
Ukraine has expressed its readiness to participate in the "Drone Wall" project, initiated by the European Commission, and to play an active role in protecting Europe from the Russian drone threat. Kyiv expects to sign a joint declaration with partners in October and is ready to share its experience in the field of unmanned technologies.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, stated that Russian planes provoking NATO should be shot down when entering the Alliance's airspace. He commented on the interception of five Russian military aircraft near the Latvian border by Hungarian fighters.
A Russian fighter jet flew over a German Navy frigate in the Baltic Sea, which German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called a provocation. He compared the incident to recent Russian violations of Polish and Estonian airspace.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs stated at the UN General Assembly that Russia seeks a world where brute force prevails over international law. He emphasized that Ukraine is fighting for international order, and Russia has accomplices such as Iran and North Korea.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated at the UN General Assembly that Russia's invasion of European airspace indicates a threat of destabilization for all European countries. He emphasized the growing "disagreements" that hinder the global order.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs stated that NATO must be ready to use force in response to Russia's actions. This will help prevent future airspace violations, especially if Russian aircraft continue to violate NATO airspace.
Ukraine, the EU, and 36 countries jointly called on Russia to stop the killings and start negotiations with Ukraine. The statement was made at the UN on September 23, 2025.
President Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly announced a resolution condemning Russia's abduction of children. A pilot mechanism for tracing deported children has been launched with the support of a number of countries, including Austria, Latvia, and Estonia.
The NATO Council condemned Russia's dangerous violation of Estonian airspace on September 19, calling it part of irresponsible behavior. The Alliance expressed solidarity with member countries and reaffirmed support for Ukraine.
Large-scale state anti-terrorist exercises Dinaburg 2025, led by the State Security Service, are being held for the first time in Latgale. More than 500 participants are taking part, including representatives of NATO and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The 80th session of the UN General Assembly has begun in New York and will last until September 29. It will bring together about a hundred presidents and over 40 prime ministers to discuss global challenges and strengthen international cooperation.
The EU has started discussing the creation of a "drone wall" that would protect against further Russian attacks.
Estonia is initiating consultations under Article 4 of NATO after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated its airspace over the Gulf of Finland. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called it a serious and unacceptable provocation.
The tail section of a Russian "Gerbera" drone has been found in western Latvia. Experts have confirmed that the object is not explosive.
Estonia will completely stop importing Russian natural gas, including liquefied gas, from next year, according to a government decision of September 18. This expansion of sanctions was initiated by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to cut the Kremlin's revenues.
Lithuanian law enforcement agencies have uncovered a criminal group that planned terrorist attacks across Europe using postal services. The criminals sent homemade incendiary devices disguised as massage pillows and cosmetics.
Large-scale armored and air force exercises "Iron Gate" are taking place at the military training ground in Orzysz, Poland. NATO servicemen and equipment, including Abrams tanks and F-35 fighters, are participating in them.
The European Union plans to spend billions of euros on an "anti-drone wall" using technologies tested in Ukraine after Russian incursions into NATO airspace. This initiative aims to address the vulnerability where NATO relies on expensive technology to intercept cheap drones.
The exercises also involve Russia's Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which was tested last year.
