In a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, the leaders of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia stressed the urgency of EU assistance, citing a growing threat from Russia. “Russia is testing our deterrence and resilience through destabilizing and sabotage activities,” the letter stated, highlighting the need for a comprehensive response using “all available EU instruments.”

Border Defense Projects Underway

The regional initiatives—named the Baltic Defense Line and the Eastern Shield—are aimed at fortifying borders with Russia and Belarus. The projects feature anti-tank barriers, trenches, and layered fortifications designed “to effectively prevent, disrupt, and deter potential enemy incursions.” A Polish armored vehicle was recently seen stationed beside the first completed segment of the Eastern Shield in Dabrowka, near the Russian border.

A Call for Collective European Security

The leaders requested the matter be placed on the agenda of the upcoming EU summit in Brussels, underscoring that the security of their borders is also the security of the EU as a whole. “The threat to the EU and its Member States is increasing, so a more coordinated and robust strategic response is urgently needed,” wrote Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina, and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

The Baltic states and Poland have been leading voices within NATO urging increased defense budgets and preparedness amid fears of broader regional instability. With the war in Ukraine reshaping European security assumptions, these countries argue that EU investment in eastern defenses is no longer optional, but a strategic imperative.