Baltic States Set to Permanently Sever Energy Ties with Russia
Is An Isolated Russia More Dangerous?
On Saturday, February 8, the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—will permanently disconnect from the Russian-controlled BRELL power system. The following day (Feb. 9), they will officially join the Continental European (UCTE) grid, finalizing a long-planned pivot away from Moscow’s influence and toward stronger European integration and energy independence as tensions with Russia continue to grow.
A Two-Decade Journey to Energy Independence
This move marks the final stage of a desynchronization process that has been in motion for over 20 years.
While the Baltic nations gained independence from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, their electricity grids have remained physically linked to Russia and Belarus through the BRELL system. The decision to sever these ties has been significantly accelerated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which amplified concerns over energy security and geopolitical vulnerability.
But how will Moscow respond? Could Russia escalate its grey-zone tactics and increase its military presence in the region?