The switchover to the European electricity network, which Baltic leaders said held geopolitical and symbolic significance, came more than three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union. View on
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for successfully disconnecting from the Soviet-era power grid, marking a significant step towards energy independence from Russia. This move, which occurred on August 17, 2023, was part of a broader effort by these Baltic states to integrate with the European Union's energy network, thereby enhancing their security and reducing reliance on Russian energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of this transition in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially given Ukraine's own struggles with energy security amidst conflict with Russia. The synchronization with the European grid not only symbolizes a break from their Soviet past but also strengthens their strategic alignment with Western Europe.