A decision by Lithuania’s president to block the ruling party’s candidate for the European Commission may shake up the Baltic nation’s campaign season just two months before a vote expected to bring down the government. trib.al/IieNG9L

SCOOP: The European Union is working on a proposal to censure Slovakia over the erosion of democratic norms in a move that could result in the bloc withholding funds earmarked for Bratislava, write Jorge Valero Daniel Hornak bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Bloomberg Politics

The Czech town of Krnov is a snapshot of the devastation from the latest extreme climate event to afflict Europe bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Bloomberg Economics Andrea Dudik

"If Ukraine is not secure, then can we say that NATO is secure?" Lithuanian FM Gabrielius Landsbergis tells Bloomberg TV bloomberg.com/news/videos/20…

Hot-air balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes are landing all over Lithuania, but they're rattling a jittery nation. Read the Brussels Edition trib.al/AcUCRBC

Trouble in Lithuania: Social Democrats forged a coalition agreement with two smaller parties, shrugging off mounting criticism from the Baltic nation’s allies over charges of antisemitism against one of the party leaders. bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Bloomberg Markets Milda Seputyte

Lithuania’s Social Democrats sign a coalition agreement with two smaller parties, pressing ahead in the face of criticism bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Bloomberg Markets

It is a disgrace that social democrats in Lithuania are entering into an alliance with an anti-semitic, homophobic, nationalist party. Social democracy is always and everywhere committed to freedom, human rights and dignity for all. 🇱🇹🇪🇺🫶

Demonstrators gather in Vilnius to protest the move by Lithuania's Social Democrats to forge a coalition with a party whose leader is accused of making antisemitic remarks bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Bloomberg Politics

Full square of protestors gather at Lithuanian parliament after Social Democrats forge coalition with a party mired in antisemtism scandal

Lithuania’s incoming prime minister says he’s open to restoring diplomatic relations with China trib.al/BHiAzC4

Finland Boards Tanker After Power and Data Cables Go Offline bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

The EU is debating whether to drop a trade investigation against China, a prospect that’s frustrated US officials, with the incoming Trump team viewing it as capitulation to Beijing bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Bloomberg Politics

Bloomberg reports that the EU is considering dropping its WTO case against China due to a "lack of evidence" that China's sudden halt in trade with Lithuania was retribution for supporting Taiwan. Dropping the case is a bad idea, but don't worry, it gets worse.🧵1/6

The EU is set to buy time in its case against China at the WTO over allegations of economic coercion targeting Lithuania trib.al/00Yf58E

A subsea data cable between Latvia and Sweden was damaged early Sunday, sparking a criminal investigation, the 3rd such incident in the Baltic Sea in the past 3 months bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Milda Seputyte

The EU must double its defense spending as it faces at least €100 billion of immediate investment needs, according to four member states that border Russia bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Bloomberg Politics

Lithuanian FM Budrys says NATO must send a message to Russia that ``we're serious here'' by spending 3%/GDP ``and beyond'' on defense bloomberg.com/news/videos/20… Kęstutis Budrys

The Baltic states successfully disconnected from Russia’s electricity grid and plugged into continental Europe’s network trib.al/sfONvou

Europe needs to rapidly ramp up defense spending to address Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, said Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene trib.al/f02xnig