Moscow rattles Estonia with talk of 'concern' for its Russian population

[steve2470]

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2014/0321/Moscow-rattles-Estonia-with-talk-of-concern-for-its-Russian-population

Russia says it is worried that a former Soviet republic isn't doing enough to protect its large ethnic Russian population. But this time, the Kremlin is not talking about Ukraine.

It's talking about Estonia.

The tiny Baltic state is a member of both NATO and the European Union. But the tone coming from their giant neighbor to the east – a neighbor that just occupied Crimea on similar grounds – has Estonians nervous.

“I believe that most Estonians are neither hysterical nor surprised by President Putin’s behavior in Crimea,” says Eiki Berg, a professor of international relations at the University of Tartu, Estonia’s leading research institution. “This is very similar to what Stalin’s Soviet Union did in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in 1939-40.”

*more at link*

[RKP5637]

1. He has an agenda! n/t

[NuclearDem]

2. Self-determination and what not.

[KamaAina]

3. Some background, from someone who should know: our very own LiberalEsto.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014759557#post86

It's not difficult to spot the Russians living in Estonia. They are usually tackily dressed,
especially the women draped with fake gold jewelry and excessive, gaudy makeup. They run flea markets in Tallinn and other places, selling junk made in Russia. And I can honestly say it IS junk from having tried to shop at a couple of the flea markets.

I remember, during the Soviet era, how my cousin used to send me outlines of her children's feet so I could buy shoes for them. She couldn't find shoes in the poorly stocked stores. Likewise, when she had difficulty nursing her youngest child, she appealed to me to send baby bottles, rubber nipples and powdered baby formula. I mailed large packages of the items to her until the little girl was weaned.

Once Estonia gained its freedom in 1991, I learned that my relatives hadn't eaten meat for decades. They weren't allowed to celebrate Christmas or Easter, or attend churches. They couldn't display the Estonian flag without risking arrest. Even if I could have afforded to visit my relatives in the 1980s, I would not have been allowed to visit my parents' home towns or see my grandparents' graves, because most of Estonia was off-limits to Americans.

[bpj62]

4. Nato Member

Putin will not meddle in the affairs of Estonia as they are in a Strategic Military Alliance with the west and if a NATO member is attacked then the other members of the alliance must respond and offer assistance. I do not think that Putin wants to go that far. If he does then WWIII will happen and all bets are off.

[Igel]

5. It's "defense by paper."

Really think that NATO would go to serious war just to defend the trust others have in NATO's commitments?

NATO's all-in for war against weakened, starving mice. As soon as they are facing considerable ground forces or a force that could destroy their tanks from the air (or their aircraft from the ground) all bets are off.

Except Putin's. His is on, and probably sizing up his opponent now: Would they follow through, because all he heard from the West over Georgia and Crimea was dick-wagging. So energetic, in fact, that he didn't even feel the need to tell them to go wank off, just to go away quickly.

[hack89]

7. NATO is a superior military force than Russia

Hell, even Poland has better tanks than Russia.

Russia neglected their military for decades and have a long way before they catch up to NATO. While NATO got smaller, they have invested in modern equipment and training.

[brooklynite]

6. next up: Brighton Beach, Brooklyn

[okaawhatever]

8. I think he's trying to stir up his base at home. That and cause civil unrest in Estonia. Talk like

Putin's plants seeds of distrust and anger between two groups within the country. Soon enough ethnic Russians in Estonia will start to feel victimized and if they fall for the rhetoric will fight back. That is what Putin wants. Front page stories of Russians being treated poorly.

[cthulu2016]

9. Estonia is all neo-nazis, but thankfully Putin will protect me from them

Double plus good.

[William769]

10. Looks like he's going back to the style of the U.S.S.R.

What a fucking asshole. I don't believe it will be easy this time around.

[bluestate10]

11. Estonia is a member of NATO. If Putin goes there, he fucks himself and Russia. nt