Putin's Rhetoric Against Baltic States Signals Potential Future Escalations: ISW

Changes in Latvia's immigration law and protection of 'compatriots' cited as triggers, echoing similar prelude to Ukraine invasion.

Vladimir Putin has been intensifying his rhetoric against the Baltic states, setting the stage for potential future escalations with the eastern NATO members, according to the Institute for Study of War (ISW).
Putin's complaint refers to changes in Latvia's immigration law that require Russians living as permanent residents in the country to pass a Latvian language test if they want to stay there.
The ISW warned that Putin may be laying the groundwork for future aggressive Russian actions abroad under the pretext of protecting its 'compatriots.'
Putin's comment on Tuesday echoes similar remarks he made about Ukraine before launching his unprovoked invasion.
The ISW said it previously assessed that Putin's aim in invading Ukraine was to destabilize NATO instead of defending a NATO attack against Russia as he has stated.