Kaljulaid Moskvas
“President Kersti Kaljulaid lendas Moskvasse kahepäevasele töövisiidile. Täna kohtus Vabariigi President Vene Föderatsiooni presidendi Vladimir Putiniga ja taasavas renoveeritud Eesti saatkonnahoone. Putini ja Kaljulaidi kohtumine on alates Eesti taasiseseisvumisest esimene nii mastaapne Venemaa ja Eesti riipeade kohtumine.”
- Delfi
“Eestit esindasid lisaks presidendile veel suursaadik Margus Laidre ja mitu presidendi kantselei ametnikku - kantselei direktor Tiit Riisalo, avalike suhete nõunik Taavi Linnamäe ja presidendi välisnõunik Lauri Kuusing. Venemaa poolelt olid kohal näiteks välisminister Sergei Lavrov, Kremli pressiesindaja Dmitri Peskov ja majandusarengu minister Maksim Oreškin.”
- ERR
ERR blog:
Delfi blog:
Postimees blog:
Press Release: Kaljulaid, Putin discuss Estonian-Russian relations
(President.ee)
“In a meeting that lasted for two and a half hours, there was a thorough discussion of cross-border co-operation between the two countries, as well as of various opportunities for enhancing both economic relations and international relations.”
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“Estonia is a candidate for the UN Security Council and conflicts in the world affect us all in one way or another. We talked in more detail about conflicts and their possible solutions in Ukraine and Georgia, where the position of Estonia and the European Union is very clear,” President Kaljulaid said.”
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“When discussing economic issues, it was acknowledged that trade between the two countries has decreased over the years, but there are certainly issues that should be resolved in the interests of both sides.”
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“The Presidents also discussed at some length the subjects of Nord Stream 2 and the European frequency synchronization of Estonian electricity networks.”
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“The Heads of State briefly discussed the issue of the Estonian-Russian border agreement. “The two previous Parliaments of Estonia have taken the first step. Whether Estonia is ready to take this step again depends on the current Parliament. I believe that it is always easier to carry on within the framework of existing agreements,” said President Kaljulaid.”
Встреча с Президентом Эстонии Керсти Кальюлайд
(Russia President website)
“Владимир Путин принял в Кремле Президента Эстонской Республики Керсти Кальюлайд. Лидер Эстонии прибыла в Москву с рабочим визитом.”
Kaljulaid ja Putin arutasid Moskvas kahe riigi omavahelisi suhteid
(President.ee)
“Kokku kaks ja pool tundi kestnud kohtumisel arutati põhjalikult läbi nii kahe riigi toimiv kui kavandatav piiriülene koostöö, erinevaid koostöövõimalusi majandussuhete elavdamiseks kui ka rahvusvaheliste suhete sõlmpunkte. …”
Kadri Liik: Some thoughts on the Kaljulaid/Putin Meeting
(ERR)
"I was surprised that the Kremlin took as much time for her. The meeting was supposed to be shorter, but ended up lasting for two and a half hours.”
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“The lack of an actual subject of the meeting, such as complicated negotiations or other more immediately pressing issues, made it possible to keep it relatively friendly … "They didn't need to agree on anything. In this sense, the meeting was a courtesy call.”
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“Putin himself will doubtlessly profit from the meeting, as it demonstrated in the eyes of the international community that he isn't as isolated as commonly believed.”
Kaljulaid Vene lehele: olen valmis kõigile selgitama, miks on vaja naabritega suhelda
(Postimees | ERR)
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«У нас нет опасений насчет нашей территориальной целостности и безопасности»
"We have no concerns about our territorial integrity and security.”
(Kommersant)
Miks polnud Eestist ministreid kohal? Kas Ilves oleks olnud jõulisem?
(Delfi)
“Delfi stuudios analüüsisid Eesti ja Venemaa riigipea äsja toimunud kohtumist endine välisminister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus ja kodanikuaktivist ning Venemaa inimõiguste ja demokraati olukorra eest võitleja Jevgeni Krištafovitš.”
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| Photo: AP |
Russian Media: Putin discussed fears of alleged Russian threat with Estonian leader
(Pro-Kremlin TASS)
"They mentioned NATO, the fears of Estonia and several Baltic states concerning security. We are confident that they are absolutely baseless. They are fueled artificially by NATO military commanders and overseas politicians," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, stressing that Russia "does not present a threat to any of its neighbors.”
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“The spokesman also noted that the Kremlin continues to express its concern over the fate of Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic states.”
Putin: Russia poses no threat to Baltic neighbors
(Baltic Times)
"[Russia] has never posed a threat to any of its neighbors," Russian president's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.”
Satire:
More Kaljulaid/Putin articles
(Multiple sources)
Eesti saatkond Moskvas on nagu vene hing: väljast rõõmus ja särav, seest pinges ja ettevaatlik
(Eesti Päevaleht)
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Eestivene noored: heanaaberlikud suhted Venemaaga on Eesti julgeoleku peamine tagatis
(Postimees)
“Eestis elavad vene keelt kõnelevad noored ei pea ennast täiel määral eestlaseks, ei soovi oma lastele tulevikus eestikeelset õpet ning leiavad, et heanaaberlikud suhted Venemaaga on Eesti julgeoleku peamine tagatis.”
Threading the Needle Through the Suwalki Gap
(Stratfor)
“From new bases to better railroads, the United States and its NATO allies are actively looking for new ways to deter Russian aggression against Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The problem is that policymakers and defense planners do not yet agree on what Russia's intentions are towards the region in the first place. Intentions might seem academic, but deterrence policies must flow logically from an assessment of who and what one is actually trying to deter.”
The Suwalki Gap: The 40-Mile Line NATO is Ready to Go to War with Russia Over
(National Interest)
“The Suwalki Gap earlier figured in World War I and the Napoleonic Wars. Today, it remains relevant due to political geography … To the west of the Gap is the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, which hosts over 15,000 Russian troops and bristles with heavy artillery and long-range ballistic and anti-aircraft missiles. To the east of the gap is the authoritarian state of Belarus.”
Estonia’s press freedom is ranked 11th globally: US is 48th
(Emerging Europe)
“For the third year in a row, Estonia leads emerging Europe in the latest World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Ranked 11th globally, Estonia is a long way ahead of the next emerging European nation, Latvia, ranked 24th, and is the only country in the region where freedom of the press is classed as satisfactory.”
Finland 2nd on Press Freedom Index, behind Norway
(Yle)
Press freedom report: ‘Europe no longer a sanctuary’
(Politico-Europe)
Spring Storm (Kevadtorm) exercise, to start on 29 April
(ERR)
“The allied units will participate in the EDF's annual Spring Storm (Kevadtorm) exercise, to start on 29 April this year. The exercise will be held in Estonia's Lääne-Viru and Ida-Viru counties and involve some 10,000 troops. … The French government announced on Tuesday that up to 300 French personnel will arrive in Tapa on 23 April as part of the FRA-EFP LYNX mission. This French contribution to the alliance's enhanced forward presence will also bring in five Leclerc-type tanks as well as a few dozen infantry fighting vehicles.”
https://news.err.ee/930964/some-100-allied-tanks-armoured-vehicles-expected-in-estonia-by-late-april
Russia's tracking NATO ship group in the Baltic Sea
(Pro-Kremlin TASS)
EU election’s cross-border candidates
(Politico-Europe)
“At least 20 MEP candidates are running for a seat outside their home countries.”
How the EU will vote and why it matters
(Reuters)
“A poll for the European Parliament showed that last-minute British participation in next month’s elections to the European Union’s legislature means eurosceptic groups will gain ground but pro-EU parties will keep a majority.”
The Russian ‘adhocracy’
by Mark Galeott
“… Putin’s Russia is best understood as an ‘adhocracy’, which I define in my ECFR report Controlling Chaos as a system in which the true elite is defined by service to the needs of the Kremlin rather than any specific institutional or social identity. They may be spies, or diplomats, journalists, politicians, or millionaires; essentially they are all ‘political entrepreneurs’ who both seek to serve the Kremlin or are required to do so, often regardless of their formal role. The activities of the ‘adhocrats,’ and those of the myriad lesser ‘political entrepreneurs‘ who aspire to that role, are occasionally directly tasked by the Kremlin, sometimes indirectly tasked through hints, nods and winks, and often their own initiatives, acting in ways that they hope will please the boss(es).”
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Wednesday
17. April
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Jüri Ratas continues as prime minister | Brings in far-right party
(Reuters)
“Estonia’s Center party leader Jüri Ratas secured parliament’s support on Wednesday to continue as prime minister and form a new government that will bring a far-right party into the cabinet for the first time.”
Raimond Kaljulaid: EKRE on nüüd valitsuses. Mis saab edasi?
(Eesti Päevaleht)
“Nüüd, kus riigikogu on andnud toetuse Jüri Ratasele ning Jüri Ratas moodustab koos EKRE-ga uue valitsuse, on küsimus selles, mida teevad Eesti kodanikuühiskond, opositsioon, meedia ja kõik teised, kellele on vaba ühiskond on armas. Kas annavad alla ja meie laul on lauldud või jätkavad demokraatlikku, põhiseadusest tulenevaid õigusi kasutavat ning mõistagi rahumeelset vastupanu äärmuslaste osavõtul moodustatud valitsusele. Loodan viimast.”
Jüri Ratas sai riigikogus valitsuse moodustamiseks toetushääled kokku
(ERR)
"Me kõik saame ja peame oma poliitilises tegevuses pingutama, et meie inimeste kartusi maandada ning ühiskonda rahustada. Me tõestame, et seisame Eesti tervikliku arengu ning iga inimese heaolu eest," ütles Ratas enne hääletust riigikogu ees peetud kõnes.”
Maritime Defence and Deterrence in the Baltic Region
(ICDS)
“NATO is re-engaging with the maritime domain and navies are seeing greater levels of interest and investment. The states that surround the Baltic Sea have also begun to respond to new and rediscovered challenges to their maritime security, but more could be done individually and collectively.”
Deterring Russian Aggression in the Baltic States Through Resilience and Resistance
(RAND)
“The authors of this report assess how unconventional defense plans and capabilities — to include total and comprehensive defense, societal resilience, and resistance strategies — being pursued by the governments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (referred to as the Baltic states) can deter and counteract Russian hybrid aggression and military attacks in the Baltic region.”
Russia and NATO both think time is on their side
by Mark Galeotti - Raam op Rusland
“According to Russia all military and political cooperation with NATO has effectively ended. It sounds alarming, but does it mean we're sliding towards a confrontation? Or is it more a symptom of an underlying disconnect in relations?”
Rural municipality of 5,843 wants nuclear reactor
(ERR)
EU states force clearing of Estonian, Danish regulators over Danske Bank
(KFGO)
“The European Banking Authority (EBA) said in a statement on Wednesday it was closing its investigation. "At a vote at its meeting on 16 April 2019 the EBA's Board of Supervisors rejected a proposal for a breach of Union law recommendation," it added. The EBA declined to elaborate on the decision of the board.”
Ukraine: One Far-Right Movement That Hates the Kremlin
(Foreign Policy)
“Ukraine’s Azov movement is hostile to Russia, friendly to neo-Nazis, and inspired by France’s new right.”
Why U.S. Foreign Policy Will Never Recover
(Foreign Affairs)
“Progressives are debating among themselves whether and how they should promote liberal values abroad if they should return to power. Conservatives are agonizing over whether the populist moment represents a permanent shift in the way they should think about U.S. foreign policy. Neither camp is really grappling with the end of equilibrium, however. The question is not what U.S. foreign policy can do after Trump. The question is whether there is any viable grand strategy that can endure past an election cycle.”
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Tuesday
16. April
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Russia's parliament votes to unplug internet from the world
(Deutsche Welle)
“The Russian Duma has given its final approval to a bill creating a domestic internet. Lawmakers say it aims to protect Russia from cyber threats — but the law has sparked protest: Critics worry it will allow censorship.”
Poll: 70% of Russians Have Positive View of Stalin
(Window on Eurasia)
“The Levada Center polling agency released the results of a survey showing 70 percent of Russians have a positive attitude toward the Soviet dictator, the highest share ever.”
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Monday
15. April
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NATO and Partner aircraft to practice Air Policing drills over Estonia
(NATO)
EU: Kaja Kallas named one of the most influential MEPs
(Estonian World)
“Politico magazine has picked the chair of the Estonian Reform Party, Kaja Kallas, as one of the 40 members of the European Parliament “who mattered in 2014-2019”, the current term of the legislative body of the European Union.”
Finland’s Social Democrats win close election victory
(Politico-Europe)
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‘Kõigi Eesti’
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‘Kõigi Eesti’ movement launched by concerned residents
(ERR)
“A recent social media initiative called Kõigi Eesti has seen a blossoming of the movement's logo, appearing on individual social media accounts.”
Concert organised by Estonian grassroots movement Kõigi Eesti
(Estonian World | Delfi)
“We don’t represent any particular party. We’re people worried about the current political situation,” the organisers said – a reference to the post-election coalition talks between the Centre Party, the populist EKRE and Isamaa (Fatherland/Pro Patria). The inclusion of EKRE in the coalition talks worried many people, due to the hostile and offensive rhetoric used by many of the party leaders, notably Mart Helme, Martin Helme and Jaak Madison. Since gaining ground in the Estonian politics in 2015, EKRE’s leaders have verbally attacked Estonian-Russian community, sexual minorities, foreign students, refugees, doctors, judges, single women.”
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More:
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