[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  Chay Bowes [@BowesChay](/creator/twitter/BowesChay) on x 231.1K followers Created: 2025-07-24 11:45:06 UTC It's XX years since the Latvian, Lithuanian, and Estonian SSRs joined the Soviet Union, and while the USSR and communism are long gone, their choices post collpase of the Soviet Union are haunting them today. These Baltic states, once thriving under Soviet investment, are now in reality economic backwaters on Europe's financial and popitical edge. The USSR poured billions into their industries, infrastructure, and energy, Latvia’s manufacturing surged, Lithuania’s ports boomed, and Estonia’s tech sector took root all with vast assistance from Moscow. Soviet subsidies kept their economies stable, with guaranteed markets and cheap resources. Fast forward to today, they’re stuck begging for EU handouts, their industries gutted by deindustrialization and sanctions against Russia. After breaking away in 1991, the Baltics bet on the West, joining the EU and NATO. But the dream in reality has soured. Latvia’s GDP per capita lags at $21,000, Lithuania’s at $23,000, and Estonia’s at $26,000, thats far below Western Europe’s $40,000+ averages Unemployment hovers around 7-8%, with youth joblessness hitting XX% in some areas. Factories closed, ports like Klaipėda barely functioning, and energy prices spiked after they cut Russian gas. Sanctions on Russia, their former top trade partner, have crushed their logistics and transit sectors, Latvia’s rail cargo volumes have plummeted XX% since 2014. The Baltics’ anti-Russia stance has backfired. They’re now hostage to EU hyper Russophobic policies, with very little say in Brussels. Kaliningrad’s isolation threatens their ports further. Meanwhile, Russia’s economy grows despite sanctions, with a projected GDP of $XXX trillion in 2025. Had they stayed in Russia’s orbit, the Baltics could’ve leveraged Moscow’s markets and energy. Instead, they’re poor boys holding the begging bowl in Brussels, trapped by their own choices, and their delusional self harming Russophobia. Its not about politics its about economics, they backed the wrong horse and only their political masters in London and Brussels benefit, they have created a buffer zone from big bad Russia while convieniently ignoring the realities of day to day life on the fringes of Europe for the people in these three small countries. All with significant Russian speaking populations and far more cultural connections with the east than with the west. As usual, the promises feed no one. The Baltic states find themselves on the frontline of an imaginary NATO "coming War with Russia" where the stand to be completely decimated if the unthinkable occurred, as long cultivated, predicted and desired by NATO hawks desperate to vindicate their hugely costly existence.  XXXXXX engagements  **Related Topics** [billions](/topic/billions) [investment](/topic/investment) [Post Link](https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1948348712297619690)
[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]
Chay Bowes @BowesChay on x 231.1K followers
Created: 2025-07-24 11:45:06 UTC
It's XX years since the Latvian, Lithuanian, and Estonian SSRs joined the Soviet Union, and while the USSR and communism are long gone, their choices post collpase of the Soviet Union are haunting them today.
These Baltic states, once thriving under Soviet investment, are now in reality economic backwaters on Europe's financial and popitical edge.
The USSR poured billions into their industries, infrastructure, and energy, Latvia’s manufacturing surged, Lithuania’s ports boomed, and Estonia’s tech sector took root all with vast assistance from Moscow.
Soviet subsidies kept their economies stable, with guaranteed markets and cheap resources. Fast forward to today, they’re stuck begging for EU handouts, their industries gutted by deindustrialization and sanctions against Russia. After breaking away in 1991, the Baltics bet on the West, joining the EU and NATO. But the dream in reality has soured. Latvia’s GDP per capita lags at $21,000, Lithuania’s at $23,000, and Estonia’s at $26,000, thats far below Western Europe’s $40,000+ averages
Unemployment hovers around 7-8%, with youth joblessness hitting XX% in some areas. Factories closed, ports like Klaipėda barely functioning, and energy prices spiked after they cut Russian gas.
Sanctions on Russia, their former top trade partner, have crushed their logistics and transit sectors, Latvia’s rail cargo volumes have plummeted XX% since 2014.
The Baltics’ anti-Russia stance has backfired. They’re now hostage to EU hyper Russophobic policies, with very little say in Brussels.
Kaliningrad’s isolation threatens their ports further. Meanwhile, Russia’s economy grows despite sanctions, with a projected GDP of $XXX trillion in 2025. Had they stayed in Russia’s orbit, the Baltics could’ve leveraged Moscow’s markets and energy. Instead, they’re poor boys holding the begging bowl in Brussels, trapped by their own choices, and their delusional self harming Russophobia.
Its not about politics its about economics, they backed the wrong horse and only their political masters in London and Brussels benefit, they have created a buffer zone from big bad Russia while convieniently ignoring the realities of day to day life on the fringes of Europe for the people in these three small countries.
All with significant Russian speaking populations and far more cultural connections with the east than with the west. As usual, the promises feed no one. The Baltic states find themselves on the frontline of an imaginary NATO "coming War with Russia" where the stand to be completely decimated if the unthinkable occurred, as long cultivated, predicted and desired by NATO hawks desperate to vindicate their hugely costly existence.
XXXXXX engagements
Related Topics billions investment