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19 June, 2020



Putin pens 9,000-word exegesis on WWII, defending Soviet non-aggression pact with Hitler and describing occupation of Baltic states as ‘with consent’ 
(Meduza)
“The National Interest — yes, the same international affairs journal run by Dmitri Simes, whose name appears more than 100 times in Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election — has published a new article credited to President Vladimir Putin about the Second World War.”





Putin rewrites World War II history and battles over historical memory
Analysis by Nathan Hodge, CNN
“The National Interest magazine published an essay by Russian President Vladimir Putin, about the legacy of the war in Europe.” 
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[* ’The National Interest is a journal of the Conservative think tank Center for the National Interest, described in the Mueller report as the voice of the Russian authorities.’ - Delfi]
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“The historical ruminations of Putin point to a larger campaign by Russia to reclaim some moral high ground -- and to justify its recent foreign policy.
For starters, there's Putin's description of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939, a nonaggression pact between Adolf Hitler's Germany and Joseph Stalin's Soviet Union. A secret annex in the treaty paved the way for a carve-up of Poland, which the Soviet Union invaded from the east just a few weeks after Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, and the occupation of the Baltic states in 1940.”
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“His reading of history is likely to spark outrage in Poland and the Baltic states, which are now members of the European Union as well as members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. For all of those countries, Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its backing of separatists set a worrisome precedent: If Russia was willing to "intervene" on behalf of ethnic Russians in Crimea by sending its troops, would it do the same in the Baltics?”



Putini vÀited on tÀiesti valed
(Postimees)
“VĂ€lisminister Urmas Reinsalu sĂ”nul jĂ€tkab Putin tĂ€nases ajakirjas National Interest avaldatud artiklis Teise maailmasĂ”ja kohta vĂ”ltsi ajaloonarratiivi esitamist.”
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“Eraldi peatub ta Balti riikidel, osundades et Balti riigid liitusid NĂ”ukogude Liiduga lepingulisel alusel valitud rahvaesinduste nĂ”usolekul ning see oli kooskĂ”las toonase rahvusvahelise ja siseriikliku Ă”igusega. Need vĂ€ited on tĂ€ies mahus valed ja ma mĂ”istan need tĂ€ielikult hukka. Eriti kĂŒĂŒniline on selliseid vĂ€iteid esitada just nĂ€dalal, mil möödub 80. aastat Balti riikide Ă”igusvastasest okupeerimisest.”





Baltic states denounce Russia's attempts to rehabilitate Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
(Baltic Times)
“The Baltic states have denounced the bill under consideration by the State Duma of the Russian Federation that would aim to revoke a resolution adopted by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR in 1989 and condemning the secret protocol of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.”
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“
 the draft legislation contains an interpretation of historical events that contradicts internationally well-established, undeniable and unambiguous facts, supported by extensive documentary evidence, and it may therefore be regarded as distortion of history.






Putini ajalookĂ€sitlus pĂŒĂŒab tĂ”rjuda Eesti maailma perifeeriasse
(Delfi)
“Eile avalikustatud Venemaa presidendi Vladimir Putini artikkel, milles ta vĂ€idab, et Balti riigid liitusid NĂ”ukogude liiduga vabatahtlikult, pĂŒĂŒab ekspertide sĂ”nul Baltikumi tĂ€htsust maailmas pisendada. Rahvusvahelise kaitseuuringute keskuse tegevjuht Dmitri Teperik, kes on aastaid Kremli propagandat uurinud, ĂŒtles ĂŒheselt, et nii jĂ”ulist sĂ”numit Baltimaade ajalookĂ€sitluses osas pole varem Kremlist tulnud nagu edastas seda eile ilmunud artikkel USA ajakirjas The National Interest.”
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“Enne oli arutelusid ajaloo ĂŒle, aga nad kĂ”ik toimusid erineva kaliibriga poliitikute ja ekspertide vahel, aga nĂŒĂŒd on Venemaa president isiklikult midagi arvanud. Putini soov oli panna aruteludele punkti.”



Moscow Marks 80th Anniversary of Occupation of Baltic States by Celebrating Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
By Paul Goble
“80 years ago this week, Soviet forces occupied Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania annexing them to the USSR, as allowed by the secret protocols of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.  But instead of acknowledging this crime, the Russian authorities praise this deal between Hitler and Stalin and call the occupation voluntary and legal. 
 now, on this anniversary, “more than 40” Duma deputies are calling for the passing of a law that would annul the December 1989 declaration by the USSR Congress of Peoples Deputies which denounced the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and its secret protocols.”
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            “Those behind this move say, the commentator continues, that the deputies of 1989 acted “unjustly” and incorrectly and that “the countries of the Baltic voluntarily joined the USSR on the basis of a vote of their citizens.” Consequently, they insist, “there was no occupation of the Baltic countries.””









Puhkus!! EstoUudised tuleb tagasi juulil.
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EstoNews will be on a short break and will return in July.






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Friday 
19. June
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How Estonia used its digital state to beat back coronavirus
(Wired)
“The Baltic state relied on pragmatism over shiny toys to quash the pandemic. 
 three “digital solutions” that were created as a result – the KoroonaKaart online information hub, the self-assessment Korooonatest questionnaire, and the national chatbot SUVE, which answers questions about the emergency in Estonian and English.”



‘The pandemic has united us’: A media divide fades in the Baltics
(Christian Science Monitor)
“In the midst of a health crisis, Russian speakers in the Baltics switched loyalties to watch local news, helping Latvia and Estonia fare better against the coronavirus.”



Kersti Kaljulaid: kriisi ajal kannab vastutust kogu ĂŒhiskond
(Postimees)
“President Kersti Kaljulaid rÀÀkis KaitsevĂ€e Akadeemia lĂ”puaktusel peetud kĂ”nes riigi kaitseplaanidest ja erinevate kriisidega toimetulemisest, rĂ”hutades eriliselt liitlaste olulisust ja kriisideks valmisolemise vajalikkust.”



Maa-amet pani VabadussÔja monumendid kaardile
(ERR)
“Kaardirakenduses on monumentidele lisatud infopĂ€ring, kus on link kaldaerofotodele, et pĂ€rast asukoha kindlaks tegemist saaks monumenti linnulennult vaadata.”



Intervjuu: Urmas Paet
(ERR)
“Trumpi vĂ€gede vĂ€hendamise soolo on kehv areng.”





Riigiduuma arutab MRP ĂŒle, vĂ€lisministeerium kutsus Venemaa suursaadiku vaibale
(Postimees)
“Resolutsioon, mille loobumist nĂŒĂŒd arutletakse, vĂ”eti vastu NSV Liidu Rahvasaadikute Kongressil 24. detsembril 1989.”
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“VĂ€ljendame rahulolematust Riigiduumas menetletava eelnĂ”u pĂ€rast. Rahvusvaheline kogukond on korduvalt ja tugevalt MRP hukka mĂ”istnud. MRP ja selle salaprotokollid panid otseselt alguse kahe totalitaarreĆŸiimi kĂŒĂŒnilisele maailmajagamisele ja sillutasid tee teise maailmasĂ”jani, mis on meie ĂŒhise ajaloo ĂŒks kohutavamaid peatĂŒkke,» sĂ”nas vĂ€lisminister Urmas Reinsalu.”



EU will have to ‘remake civilization’ to eliminate emissions by 2050
(Politico-Europe)
“Cutting the Continent’s emissions to “net zero” — meaning Europe would sequester at least as much greenhouse gases as it produces — by 2050 will require a radical overhaul of nearly every aspect of the modern economy. Dramatic cuts in carbon will wipe out entire industries, transform others and force people to change the way they eat, work, live and travel.”



FSB Now Controls All Key Government Institutions in Russia
By Paul Goble - Window on Eurasia
“
 says Moscow’s Dossier Research Center. It provides detailed support for its nine key conclusions.”






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Wednesday 
17. June
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The controversial plan to ship 660 tons of radioactive material from Estonia to Utah
(Salt Lake Tribune)
“Energy Fuels Resources, which operates the only conventional uranium mill in the United States near Blanding, Utah, applied for a permit to reprocess radioactive powder stored at the Silmet rare metals plant in SillamĂ€e, Estonia, for its uranium content. 
 The Silmet plant was built to process oil shale in the 1920s and was later used by the Soviet Union to enrich uranium for nuclear reactors and weapons.”



Interview: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
(Euronews)



Europe: American society remains a superpower of influence, even if its politicians are not
(Washington Post)
“In Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Madrid, Lisbon and cities across Britain, protesters have taken to the streets to express solidarity with Americans but also to demand changes within their own countries.”
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“The power of the U.S. tumult to change European minds is a testament to the enduring power of American culture in the world, analysts said.”



Twilight in Belarus
(CEPA)
“After 26 years of iron-fist rule, the Lukashenka regime is facing serious difficulties.”









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Tuesday 
16. June
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Üllatus: Rail Baltic on Euroopa megaprojektidest ĂŒks edukamaid
(Postimees)
“Kui lugeda viimaste pĂ€evade meediakajastusi, vĂ”ib jÀÀda mulje, et tĂ€htis Euroopa institutsioon tulistas Rail Balticu tĂ€iesti auklikuks – pole tasuv, tĂ€htajad venivad, koostöö ei klapi. Kui aga kontrollikoja raportisse sisse vaadata, selgub, et suurtest pooleliolevatest Euroopa megaprojektidest on Rail Baltic ĂŒks edukamaid.” 




Map / Catchment area assessment for Rail Baltica










US MQ-9 Reaper drones start operation out of Ämari Air Base
(ERR | others)
“
 until the end of July.”
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Estonia and the Three Seas Initiative
By Piret Kuusik, Visegrad Insight
“Initially, Estonia was a reluctant member of the initiative. The idea felt lofty and the US buy-in into the project limited. 
 A number of factors contribute to Estonia’s change of heart. Firstly, the active involvement of the US and President Trump’s personal buy-in are the primary motivations behind Estonia’s turn in policy as it provides the much sought-after political access to the Trump administration. Since the traditional channels of US foreign policymaking are in flux - decision making is concentrated in the White House and in the hands of personalities close to the President.”
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“Estonia’s current jolt towards the US is its attempt to show its loyalty and support to Washington as the US is currently and continues to be an irreplaceable security partner in the region. For this reason, the political buy-in in Tallinn has been so immediate and robust. 
”



Enter the era of the digital nomad
By Karoli Hindriks, Sifted
“Estonia has recently become the first country in the world to create a digital nomad visa — and others would be wise to follow suit.”



Transatlantic blues as Pompeo holds EU talks
(Politico)
“Definitely any [U.S.] withdrawal is not something we would like to see, but we believe that this is a U.S. decision anyway and 
 that the commitments with regards to Europe will not be diminished,” said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius.”





NATO Needs A Coherent Approach To Defending Its Eastern Flank
(War on the Rocks)
“In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014, NATO created an asymmetrical defense posture along its eastern flank. It prioritized the defense of the Baltic Sea region and the Baltic states — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — which the alliance considered most vulnerable to Russian pressure.”



Trump confirms he wants to cut US troop level in Germany to 25,000
(Stars & Stripes)
“Trump said he would withdraw some 9,500 American troops from Germany, reducing the force size there to about 25,000 until Germany spends more money on its defense.”












Coronavirus: 
Interactive map of Europe
(Euronews)








Russian Cybersecurity Company Launches PR Campaign in Baltics
(CEPA)
“In the Baltic states, Kaspersky is promoted intensively in articles published on popular online news portals. 
 None of the articles were marked as sponsored content or as commercials.”
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“The issue is seen differently in Estonia. Lauri Aasmann, Director of Cyber Security at the Estonian Information Systems Authority, says public authorities and companies providing critical services have been advised to consider the risks involved in using any software, including antivirus software. “We have also pointed out that there have been security concerns over Kaspersky products. 
”






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