Vilnius Airport suspended operations on January 27 due to suspected airspace violation by balloons from Belarus. This is not the first time the airport has been closed due to similar incidents.
The German armed forces are preparing for a worst-case scenario of a Russian attack on NATO in two to three years. Lieutenant General Funke does not rule out thousands of wounded daily and hybrid threats.
Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal held a meeting of the Staff, where they discussed replacing the generation of damaged thermal power plants and humanitarian aid from partners. Ukraine received 31 tons of equipment from Spain, Finland, Norway, and Austria, and expects new deliveries.
German companies Rheinmetall and OHB are developing a satellite network for the Bundeswehr, which will become a European alternative to Starlink. The project will provide secure internet for the German army, reducing dependence on American technologies.
President Zelenskyy met with the presidents of Lithuania and Poland in Vilnius. Energy support, strengthening air defense, Ukraine's accession to the EU, and diplomatic work were discussed.
The Ukrainian futsal team defeated Lithuania 4:1 at Euro 2026. The Ukrainians earned three points and are in second place in Group B.
President Zelenskyy thanked Lithuanian volunteers and the Minister of Health for their assistance to Ukraine. The volunteers have raised 100 million euros in aid and plan to deliver 200 generators.
President Zelenskyy met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda. They discussed support for the Ukrainian energy system and military cooperation.
Russia has intensified its attacks on energy infrastructure, other infrastructure, and residential buildings, using drones, aerial bombs, and missiles. Zelenskyy reported over 1,700 drones, 1,380 aerial bombs, and 69 missiles in a week.
International partners at the G7+ "Energy Ramstein" meeting confirmed their readiness to continue supporting Ukraine. Countries will provide over $400 million, almost €23 million, €23 million, €60 million, €10 million, and other aid packages.
The Ukrainian national futsal team will play against Lithuania on January 25 at 17:00 at the Žalgiris Arena in Kaunas. The Euro 2026 match will be broadcast on MEGOGO.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet in Lithuania on January 25. The meeting will take place as part of the 163rd anniversary of the January Uprising of 1863.
Ukraine's futsal team lost to Armenia with a score of 1:2 in the first round of the European Championship 2026. Migran Dermondzhyan responded with a brace to Vladyslav Pervieiev's goal.
The 2026 European Futsal Championship starts on January 21 and will be held in Lithuania, Latvia, and Slovenia. The Ukrainian national team has announced its final squad for the tournament.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated that an agreement on sharing responsibility for security in the Arctic and North Atlantic could resolve the dispute between the US and Europe over Greenland. He emphasized that this dispute overshadows the war in Ukraine and benefits Russia.
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.
Five men (four Ukrainians and one Russian) in Poland have been charged in a sabotage operation case. They attempted to send parcels with explosives to various countries, for which they face life imprisonment.
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.
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.
Latvian law enforcement is investigating damage to an underwater fiber optic communication cable that occurred on January 2. Police checked a vessel in the port of Liepāja that may be involved in the incident.
Vilnius Airport's operations were hampered by abnormal snowfalls on January 4, leading to flight delays. This was due to the thickest snow cover in 15 years and the need for additional runway clearing.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys recalled that Nicolás Maduro's regime supported Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. Lithuania did not recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela.
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 Ministry of Energy reported that Ukraine transported 6. 9 billion cubic meters of gas through interstate entry points in the year following the cessation of Russian gas transit. This concerns the needs of Ukraine and other countries through the Ukrainian GTS.
Lithuania has updated its national security strategy, warning of an existential threat from Russia, which could start a war against NATO by the end of the decade. The new strategy emphasizes armed defense, societal resilience, and allies.
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.
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.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated that Russia's appetites in peace negotiations regarding Ukraine are too great, and the Kremlin's lack of reaction indicates Moscow's unwillingness to end the war. He noted that the United States has leverage, but Moscow's appetites are currently "exorbitant."
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Russia's reports of an attack on Putin's residence a false flag operation. This was done to justify possible strikes on Ukraine and disrupt agreements in Mar-a-Lago.
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.
