Latvian region has distinct identity and allure for Russia

[swilton]

1. Totally disagree with this article

Russia and Latvia have recognized each other since 1991.

Based upon the criteria typically used to characterize national identity (religion, ethnicity, language, cultural heritage) Latvia and Ukraine are mutually exclusive cases compared to Russia.

Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, claim Kiev as their ancestral identity. Latvia was only historically part of the Soviet Union from 1939-90 (+/-).

Those in Latvia who claim religion (20%) are Lutheran - Russia and Ukraine are both Eastern Orthodox.

Linguistically, Ukraine and Russia are Eastern Slavic speakers - as is Belarus - where as the Latvian language is a much younger language and is Indo European and utilizes the Latin alphabet.

I think the purpose of this article is to embrace the ongoing saber rattling in the Baltic States.