IA REGNUM presents an overview of the Polish media on the Baltic states

Latvia fears Russia

Latvian Defence Minister Raymond Vejonis signals an increased activity of Russian troops at the border with Latvia and speaks about the threat of destabilization in the region from Russia, reports PolskieRadio.

The source recalls that every fourth resident of Latvia has Russian citizenship. The authorities have repeatedly voiced the probability of transferring the Ukrainian scenario in their country, when Moscow, under the slogan of defending the Russian minority, will seek for the destabilization of the situation in the country.

Minister Raymond Vejonis stated that meanwhile there is no direct threat to Latvia or the entire region. However, in the interview with Reuters he admitted that Moscow is trying to plant anxiety by using "specially trained agents provocateurs". The Minister said that the conflict in Ukraine started in a similar way. He explained that Russian representatives are trying to evoke Soviet nostalgia in the Baltic societies.

Continuing the theme of possible Russian aggression, the Polish GazetaWyborcza quoted the oppositionist Russian political scientist Stanislav Belkovsky, who decided to emigrate to the Ukraine and who considers that the next successive goal of the President Vladmir Putin may be to try to destabilize the weakest link of the Baltic states, i.e. Latvia. "Of course, ‘the little green men’ will not enter Latvia, moreover the armoured troops, since this country is a NATO member state. But it is quite possible that pro-Russian forces may come to power and be financially supported by Putin" - said Belkovsky. Latvia has already its representative in the European Parliament – Tatyana Zhdanok, who, incidentally, was present at the "referendum organized by Moscow on the incorporation of the Crimea to Russia".

Estonia: Estonian Russians are "very happy to live in a democratic state and do not want to join Russia"

According to the Polish expert Monica Mikhalishin, the Russian minority in Estonia is in an awkward geopolitical situation. "The key obstacle for minorities is primarily a language barrier. Russians do not want to learn Estonian. But the Russian minority does not want to return to Russia either. They are very happy to live in a democratic state and have access to the EU. The most serious problems arise with regards to the integration of the middle-aged generation – persons over 50"- noted Mikhalishin.

Material has been prepared by the Centre of Geopolitical Studies with reference to the article from “IA REGNUM” of 04 05 2014

For effective complex defence of Latvia, the establishment of a permanent division of the National Armed Forces has started in Latgale, reported the official website of the Ministry of Defence.

On 13 January a concert "Together to the victory" was held in Lithuania, where the audience decided to support Ukraine's defence and donated 110 thousand Euros.

Alexander Lukashenko on 9 January signed a decree № 8 "On the establishment of visa-free entry and exit of foreign nationals." The document establishes visa-free entry to Belarus for a period not exceeding 5 days at the entrance through the checkpoint "National Airport Minsk" for citizens of 80 countries, - reported the press service of the President of Belarus.