Russia intends to more actively use international courts, legal mechanisms, and legal proceedings to pressure Western countries. This is stated in a new report by the Satversme Protection Bureau (SPB), which warns of the expansion of the so-called "legal war" against Western states, including the Baltic countries.
Russia plans to intensify the use of legal instruments as one of the means of pressure on Western states. This conclusion was reached by the Satversme Protection Bureau (SPB), which published a report on the development of the Russian strategy of the so-called "legal war."
This term refers to the use of legal proceedings, international legal mechanisms, and legislation to achieve political goals and exert pressure on other states. According to the SPB, Moscow views such actions as an additional tool of influence alongside diplomatic, informational, and other methods.
The report pays special attention to the Baltic states.
According to Latvian intelligence data, Russia is preparing a lawsuit in the International Court of Justice, claiming that the rights of the Russian-speaking population are being violated in the Baltic states. According to the SPB, the corresponding complaint has already been prepared, and work is currently underway to submit it.
The special service emphasizes that such accusations have been used by Russian propaganda for many years; however, they may now transition from the informational sphere to the legal one.
It is important to know: the mere fact of filing a lawsuit does not mean that the court will recognize its validity. However, such processes can be used as a tool for political pressure and shaping the international agenda.
The SPB believes that Moscow's ultimate goal is to increase international pressure on the Baltic states and influence their policies towards Russia. The report also states that Russia seeks to coordinate such actions with friendly states and create broad international support for its initiatives.
In addition, Russian structures are working on developing their own capabilities in this area. This includes training new specialists in international law, expanding the number of employees dealing with such issues, and adopting a more centralized approach to conducting international legal proceedings. According to the SPB, Russia also plans to more actively initiate legal procedures against officials of Western states involved in the imposition and implementation of sanctions.
Particular attention in the report is given to the law signed in May, which allows the use of the Russian army outside the country to protect Russian citizens, including in cases of criminal prosecution. The SPB believes that this step is primarily aimed at psychological impact and intimidation of Western states.
According to the Latvian special service, the International Criminal Court's warrants and the work of the Special Tribunal investigating Russia's aggression against Ukraine are of particular concern to Moscow.
The SPB emphasizes that the legal direction is becoming an increasingly important part of Russia's foreign policy strategy, and Western countries should take this factor into account when assessing potential risks and threats.
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