“Estonian and NATO military personnel have been taking advantage of the cold, snowy winter that 2021 has brought, with opportunities for greater cooperation, tactical training and the use of heavy armor in the snow and ice …”

https://news.err.ee/1608107272/gallery-estonian-british-soldiers-get-real-winter-warfare-experience

_____________________

Latest COVID cases in Baltics: 

- 717 in Estonia

- 808 in Latvia

- 468 in Lithuania

(BNN)

https://bnn-news.com/latest-covid-19-cases-in-baltics-808-in-latvia-468-in-lithuania-717-in-estonia-221851

“Koroonaviiruse andmestik.” - Eesti Terviseamet

“Rapid Covid breath-test devices developed in Finland.” - Yle

“1.4% of the Estonian population has been vaccinated.” - Euronews

“Estonia and Latvia receive first batches of AstraZeneca vaccine.” - BNN

“Trust is key as Estonia tests global vaccine passports.” - France24

“Foreign tourists spent €1 billion less in Estonia in 2020.” - Estonian World

“Europe’s Slow Vaccine Rollout Is a Perfect Storm of Under Procurement, Overzealous Regulators, and Anti-Vaccine Sentiment.” - Foreign Policy

— Friday 12. February —

Sõnavabadus on ELi kodanike hinges eelkõige Eestis

(Postimees)

“Parlemeter 2020 nime kandnud uuring keskendus eelkõige Euroopa Parlamendile, kuid käsitles ka laiemalt eurooplaste hoiakuid ning mõtteid pandeemiaajastul. Mida uuring eestlaste kohta ütles? Eelkõige kasvavat optimismi Euroopa Liidu suhtes ning võrreldes ülejäänud Euroopaga sõnavabaduse jõulisemat väärtustamist. …”

https://www.postimees.ee/7178141/sonavabadus-on-eli-kodanike-hinges-eelkoige-eestis

Majority of citizens optimistic about EU but want reform: poll

(Politico-Europe)

“Two-thirds of citizens said they were optimistic about the bloc’s future.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-citizens-optimistic-poll-reform/

“Finns are the most pessimistic about Europe’s progress.” - Helsinki Times

Kaja Kallas: Josep Borrell’s Moscow visit was ‘not a success, to put it mildly’

(Politico-Europe)

“EU foreign policy chief Borrell has faced sharp criticism from MEPs and European diplomats for remaining silent as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the EU an “unreliable partner.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/estonian-pm-eu-has-to-speed-up-with-sanctions-on-russia-kaja-kallas/

How Europe is letting down the Biden administration

by Edward Lucas, CEPA

“It’s worth remembering that the EU is more than three times bigger than Russia in population terms, and ten times bigger in GDP terms. But the inexperienced Borrell behaved more like a supplicant. He meekly allowed the Russian lie-master, Sergei Lavrov, to dominate a joint press conference, setting the agenda and reiterating Kremlin talking points, such as the absurd lie that Navalny’s poisoning was a publicity stunt. In a further humiliation for Borrell, Russia greeted him by expelling three diplomats from EU countries.”

https://cepa.org/fools-errand/

Riho Terras calls for EU's foreign affairs chief to quit after Moscow trip

(Euronews)

“Russia showed everything possible to humiliate the EU’s highest diplomat.”

https://www.euronews.com/2021/02/08/josep-borrell-mep-leads-calls-for-eu-s-foreign-affairs-chief-to-quit-after-moscow-humiliat

“Riho Terras: vastulause Marina Kaljurannale Borrelli asjus.” - Postimees

“A Foreign Policy lesson from Moscow.” - Lithuanian Tribune

“Lavrov: sanktsioonide korral on Venemaa valmis katkestama sidemed EL-iga.” - ERR

“Eerik-Niiles Kross: Borrelli sõimamine ei too edu.” - Postimees

“EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell slated by critics for not holding Russia to account over Navalny's jailing.” - BNE

“Russia’s Lavrov threatens to break off diplomatic relations with EU.” - BNE

Jüri Luik & Carl Bildt: Cooperation in Deterrence in the Nordic-Baltic Region

(ICDS)

“As global power shifts, how can we ensure that Allies and partners remain committed to security at the West’s peripheries in the Baltic Sea region, and build effective deterrence against Russia?”

https://icds.ee/en/lmc-talks-with-juri-luik-carl-bildt-cooperation-in-deterrence-in-the-nordic-baltic-region/

Kremlin increasing its projection capabilities against NATO and Belarus

(ISW)

“The Kremlin’s military buildup in Kaliningrad poses a significant threat to NATO. The division’s formation in Kaliningrad compliments other ongoing Russian military efforts to project against NATO from Belarus. The Kremlin likely seeks to establish a continuous Russian military presence in Belarus and has intensified efforts to do so since August 2020. The division’s formation in conjunction with Russia’s total freedom of movement in Belarus would further enhance Russian forces’ ability to threaten the Suwalki Gap and geographically isolate NATO members Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia from the rest of the alliance.”

http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-russia-fields-new-motor-rifle-division-kaliningrad-and-conducts

“Russian bombers put Nato jets on alert off the coast of Norway.” - EU Observer

Aastapäeva paraadi asemel teevad liitlased õhuparaadi

(ERR)

“Tänavu jääb vabariigi aastapäeva paraad ära, kuid Saksa, Itaalia ning Ameerika õhujõud teevad ülelennu Eestist. Ameerika hävitajad ja tankurlennuk stardivad Suurbritanniast, itaallased Leedust ja sakslased Ämarist.”

https://www.err.ee/1608106123/aastapaeva-paraadi-asemel-teevad-liitlased-ohuparaadi

Mis on eelmise aasta Eesti menukaimad raamatud?

(Postimees)

“Eesti Kirjastuste Liidu liikmete 2020. aasta enim müüdud raamat oli Heli Illipe-Sootaki «Mina hoolin Eestist», mille läbimüük oli 11 762 eksemplari. Teiseks jäi sama raamatu venekeelne väljaanne «Я забочусь об Эстонии!», mida müüdi 8512 eksemplari. Tegu on järjega mullu ilmunud Kätlin Vainola ja Elina Sildre ülimenukale raamatule «Minu Eesti seiklus», mis kujunes müüduimaks raamatuks Eestis 2019. aastal.”

https://leht.postimees.ee/7177237/mis-on-eelmise-aasta-eesti-menukaimad-raamatud?_ga=2.54298344.1160259756.1613109073-327364366.1609992026

“Selgusid 2020. aasta kauneimad Eesti raamatud.” - ERR

Estonia to invest 4.3 million euros in heritage preservation in 2021

(ERR | BNN)

“The institution supported 186 project applications, which made up 37% of the total of project applications submitted to the board.”

https://bnn-news.com/estonia-to-invest-4-3-million-euros-in-heritage-preservation-in-2021-221821

—

https://news.err.ee/1608105484/cultural-monuments-to-receive-4-3-million-in-subsidies

Reports of Belarusian energy reaching Baltics despite ban

(LRT)

“Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs said the country needs time to look into data provided by Lithuania to prove that electricity from Belarus' Astravyets nuclear plant was being traded in the Baltic countries. … Lithuania had already paid almost 4 million euros for the Astravyets electricity …”

https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1343583/latvia-pledges-to-look-into-reports-of-belarusian-energy-reaching-baltics-despite-ban

“EC is closely watching Astravyets nuclear plant.” - Baltic Times

— Thursday 11. February —

Estonia’s PM Sees Global Populism Resilient

(Bloomberg)

“The question is: does this trend end now, when we have a new administration in the U.S. and all these parties that really got their ideas from Trump no longer have their biggest idol?” Estonia’s new prime minister, Kaja Kallas, said in an interview from Tallinn. “I think populism is here to stay and won’t go anywhere.”

—

“The shock in Estonia, a euro-area and NATO state, came after elections in 2019 when the anti-immigrant EKRE group that its rivals had vowed to shun was asked to join a coalition government.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-11/eu-state-that-shed-far-right-says-trump-exit-won-t-kill-populism?utm_source=google&utm_medium=bd&cmpId=google

Raha eest inimest maale osta ei ole võimalik - Maaeluminister Kruuse

Nele Kullerkupp ja Ülle Harju, Postimees

“Püüame järeltulevaid põlvi rohkem põllumajandusse meelitada.”

https://leht.postimees.ee/7176291/kruuse-raha-eest-inimest-maale-osta-ei-ole-voimalik

“You cannot bribe people to move to the countryside.” - Postimees

Swedish film-makers cleared of desecrating Estonia ferry wreck site

(The Guardian, France24)

“Gothenburg district court found on Monday that the two Swedes, who could have faced heavy fines or up to two years in prison, had “committed acts that are punishable under the so-called Estonia Act” but could not be punished because at the time they were on a German-flagged ship in international waters.”

—

“:The court said Germany was “not bound by the agreement” reached between three countries – Sweden, Estonia and Finland – that had declared the wreck inviolable, and the vessel the team used to send down their robot in September 2019 was “seen as German territory”.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/08/swedish-court-clears-two-film-makers-over-footage-of-estonia-ferry?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

—

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210208-filmmakers-acquitted-over-filming-estonia-ferry-wreck

The Political Awakening of Belarusian Society

By Gwendolyn Sasse, Carnegie Europe

“A new survey shows that Belarusian society has become much more politicized since the beginning of protests in August 2020. Western actors must seize on this opportunity to engage with ordinary Belarusians.”

https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/83861

— Wednesday 10. February —

Estonian firm to launch modular nuclear reactor in 2035

(Reuters)

"Estonia has set an ambitious goal to end electricity production from oil shale by 2035," Fermi Chief Executive Kalev Kallemets told Reuters. "The reactor would solve this challenge for Estonia and is relevant for the wider region." nFermi aims to apply to the government to start the planning process in late 2021, with the process -- which includes environmental, societal, economic and national security reviews -- expected to take up to five years.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-estonia-nuclearpower/estonian-firm-aims-to-launch-modular-nuclear-reactor-in-2035-idUSKBN2A80AM?il=0

Taavi Aas: Nuclear plant would be nice, but we lack necessary specialists

(Postimees)

“But if society is ready, the next thing would be to pursue increased competency because one cannot even study it in Estonia today. Where would we get the specialists to work there? We also need experts who can exercise supervision and handle support functions, such as training new engineers. We do not even have people who could train future teachers at this point. Another fact is that next generation nuclear power plants are still in the development phase. Work on them is just beginning.” 

—

“I think we need a public debate, while we also need to know a little something about what we will be debating. These discussions should not take place on the level of “Look what happened in Chernobyl.”

https://news.postimees.ee/7172312/taavi-aas-nuclear-plant-would-be-nice-but-we-lack-necessary-specialists

“The 9. Feb. Fermi Nuclear Energy Conference.” - Fermi Energia

“No time to waste in Estonian SMR deployment, conference hears.” - World Nuclear News

“Environment minister: Estonia cannot drop oil shale until supply is secured.” - ERR

Mini Nuclear Reactors Offer Promise of Cheaper, Clean Power

(Wall Street Journal)

“The pitch: small modular reactors, or SMRs, that can be housed in compact containment structures and operate safely with less shielding and oversight. SMRs could allow power plants to shed their huge hourglass-shaped cooling towers … the devices are inherently modular—many of their components can be mass-produced in factories rather than being constructed on site …”

https://www.wsj.com/articles/mini-nuclear-reactors-offer-promise-of-cheaper-clean-power-11613055608

Can Asia copy Estonia’s digital model?

(Govinsider)

“Interview with Taavi Kotka, an architect of Estonia’s digital society.”

https://govinsider.asia/digital-gov/taavi-kotka-can-asia-copy-estonias-digital-nation-model/

— Russia —

Russian Groupthink

By Gulnaz Sharafutdinova, Riddle

“On collective identity, public opinion and generational fault-lines in Russian politics.”

https://www.ridl.io/en/russian-groupthink/

Ten Dissidents from Soviet Times Warn Against New Era of Political Terror

By Paul Goble

“Ten prominent Soviet-era dissidents – Lev Timofeyev, Aleksandr Prodrabinek, Aleksandr Skobov, Aleksey Smirnov, Elena Sannikova, Ilya Burmistrovich, Kirill Podrabinek, Nikolay Ivlyushkin, Pavel Protsenko, and Yury Rybakov – have denounced what they see as the Kremlin’s moves to a new era of political terror.”

—

“… this “return to state political terror is especially clearly seen by those who earlier passed along this road, from open letters and peaceful protests to the gloom of jails, special hospitals and the hopelessness of frozen Urals camp zones”

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2021/02/ten-dissidents-from-soviet-times-warn.html

“Conditions in Detention Centers Far from Moscow Far Worse than Those Near Capital.” - Window on Eurasia

Moscow’s Climate Change Dilemma

By Olivia Lazard, Carnegie Moscow

“It is not the Biden administration that Russia should be concerned about when it comes to climate, but its own inaction, which Moscow risks paying for in both economic and security terms over the coming decade.”

https://carnegie.ru/commentary/83842

Reports: Yulia Navalnaya Leaves Russia for Germany

(The Moscow Times)

“Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s wife Yulia Navalnaya has left Russia for Germany, Russian state-run news agency Interfax and German newspaper Der Spiegel reported.”

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/10/yulia-navalnaya-leaves-russia-for-germany-reports-a72896

George Shultz on Russia: Insights and Recommendations

(Russia Matters)

“George Shultz, an accomplished (U.S.) diplomat, economist and businessman, died on Feb. 7 at the age of 100. … Shultz is one of only two people to have held four different cabinet-level posts, including as secretary of state in the Reagan administration from 1982 to 1989. Shultz is well known for working effectively with his Soviet counterparts to advance bilateral arms control. … it is less known that as an economist, he sought to convince Soviet leadership to give the market economy a chance, as the section on domestic politics below shows. Former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev expressed his condolences at Shultz’s passing, describing the diplomat as a major figure of global politics. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, has made no comment on Shultz’s passing.”

https://russiamatters.org/analysis/george-shultz-russia-insights-and-recommendations

Putin’s Security Trap

(Internationale Politik)

“The imprisonment of Alexei Navalny and the brutal suppression of peaceful protests speaks of a Russian state that sees everything through the lens of security, including foreign affairs. Germany and the EU should draw clear red lines.”

https://ip-quarterly.com/en/putins-security-trap

“With the Navalny case, the Kremlin dispensed with any reliance on the rule of law.” - Window on Eurasia

Young Russians Express Growing Disapproval of Putin

(Russia Matters)

“Only 51 percent of Russians aged 18 to 24 expressed approval for Putin, while 57 percent of those 25 to 39 years old, 60 percent of 40- to 54-year-olds and 73 percent of those 55 years and over expressed approval for the president’s decisions.”

https://russiamatters.org/blog/young-russians-express-growing-disapproval-putin

“Kremlin So Out of Touch with Young that Each of Its Actions is Alienating More of Them.” - Paul Goble

Think About a World Without Putin

(Foreign Policy)

“President Vladimir Putin has been the leader of Russia in one capacity or another since 2000, when he was just 48. He has been in place so long that an entire generation of young Russians are coming of age who have never known any other leader. Yet an aging Putin seems aware of his own mortality and is making arrangements to ensure the stability he brought to Russia outlasts him.”

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/02/10/world-without-putin-russia-what-is-next/

__________

_______

____