Latvia Considers Dismantling Railways on the Eastern Border with Russia
The government of Latvia is considering dismantling railway lines in the east of the country that lead to Russia. This matter will be discussed with military officials and colleagues from the Baltic countries.
President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, and Prime Minister Evika Siliņa confirmed on November 26 that the government intends to analyze the conditions for potentially dismantling the railways by the end of 2025. This process will be coordinated with the National Armed Forces and the governments of Lithuania and Estonia. More specifics on this issue are expected by early 2026.
Latvia is partially considering this move as a way to enhance national defense and security amid the tense situation on the border with Russia. “We cannot rule out any option for strengthening national defense and security, but such decisions should be made after clearly defining timelines, scope of work, and assessing the impact on socio-economic aspects,” Rinkēvičs noted.
The president of Latvia is expected to discuss this matter with the military on November 28, but final decisions will not be made until next year.
This move follows reports that NATO planes intercepted Russian military planes over Europe four times on November 18. The following day, the commander of the Estonian army reported strengthening border defenses with Russia, including the installation of so-called “dragon’s teeth” and readiness for mining in case of threat.
| Country | Participation in Discussion | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Latvia | Coordination Participation | Enhancing National Defense |
| Lithuania | Collaboration | Considering Railway Dismantling |
| Estonia | Cooperation | Strengthening the Border |
