Estonia Announces Plan To Seize Russian Assets And Deliver Them To Ukraine

(RFERL | Estonian World Review | others)

“… the Estonian government moves ahead of other EU countries in an effort to elaborate the legal framework that will help Ukraine get the frozen Russian assets to rebuild the country after the Russian-Ukrainian war is over. The legal procedure is supposed to come by the end of January, according to Mihkel Tamm, a spokesman for Estonia’s foreign ministry.”

—

“Estonia’s anti-money-laundering authority estimates that frozen funds in Russian-owned accounts in the country amount to almost €20 million.”

https://www.rferl.org/a/estonia-russian-assets-ukraine/32217353.html

—

https://www.eesti.ca/estonia-moves-ahead-of-eu-with-plans-to-seize-frozen-russian-assets/article59886

—

https://euromaidanpress.com/2023/01/10/estonia-to-introduce-legal-blueprint-for-handing-ukraine-seized-russian-assets-bloomberg/

—

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-09/estonia-to-move-ahead-of-eu-with-plans-to-seize-russian-assets

—

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/estonia-tells-russia-to-reduce-number-of-employees-at-its-embassy-in-tallinn/

“Expert: Seizure of frozen Russian assets would undermine international law.” - ERR

“Opinion: Freeze—Don’t Seize—Russian Assets.” - Foreign Policy

Euroopa Komisjon tunnustas Eesti kava võtta kasutusele Vene külmutatud varad

(Postimees | ERR)

“Välisminister Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) lausus Postimehele, et varade külmutamise küsimus on Eestile väga oluline. Ent asi ei ole mõistagi selles, kui palju muudavad Eestis külmutatud Vene varad olukorda Ukraina sõjas. Neid varasid on siin umbes 20 miljoni euro jagu, Eestile on eelkõige tähtis aga luua pretsedent, et riigid üldse saaksid seda teha, toonitas Reinsalu. «Selle sammuga kutsume riike üles sama tegema. Kutsume ka Euroopa Komisjoni leidma üleeuroopalist lahendust,» lisas Reinsalu.”

https://www.postimees.ee/7690497/euroopa-komisjon-tunnustas-eesti-kava-votta-kasutusele-venemaa-kulmutatud-varad

—

https://www.err.ee/1608849292/euroopa-komisjon-tervitas-eesti-algatust-vene-varade-konfiskeerimiseks

‘They really can’t poke in the Baltics.’

Putin running out of options in global pressure campaign 

(The Hill)

“Steven Pifer, an expert with Brookings, told The Hill that the Kremlin is likely being careful to not make sure its saber-rattling doesn’t turn into something they’re not prepared to take on.”

—

“In terms of bellicose actions on the conventional level, it’s really hard for me to see what the Russians could do,” Pifer said. “They really can’t poke in the Baltics. The last thing the Russian general staff wants now would be to have to take on NATO in a conventional fight. So I just think that their options are pretty limited.” 

—

"All three experts The Hill spoke to predicted Putin would play the waiting game rather than take new, potentially disastrous, risks.”

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/3809871-putin-running-out-of-options-in-global-pressure-campaign/

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Friday 13. January 2023

40 aastat Euroopa Parlamendi esimesest resolutsioonist Balti riikide toetuseks

(Postimees)

“Nelikümmend aastat tagasi, 13. jaanuaril 1983 võttis Euroopa Parlament Otto von Habsburgi eestvedamisel vastu resolutsiooni okupeeritud Balti riikide toetuseks. Algatatud resolutsioon oli vastus 45 Eesti, Läti ja Leedu kodaniku avalikule kirjale ehk Balti apellile, milles mõisteti hukka Molotovi-Ribbentropi pakt ja nõuti Balti riikide iseseisvuse taastamist.”

—

[Forty years ago, on January 13, 1983, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in support of the occupied Baltic states. The initiated resolution was a response to the open letter of 45 citizens of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in which they condemned the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and demanded the restoration of the independence of the Baltic states.]

https://arvamus.postimees.ee/7689788/piret-tarto-40-aastat-euroopa-parlamendi-esimesest-resolutsioonist-balti-riikide-toetuseks

Russia says Russophobia is the basis of Estonian politics

(BNN)

“The press secretary of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, announced on Wednesday, the 11th of January, that hatred towards Russia in Estonia is at the level of political doctrine, and gave indications that Estonia wants to satisfy «overseas curators». Presumably, Zakharova is referring to the United States or Great Britain.”

https://bnn-news.com/russia-russophobia-is-the-basis-of-estonian-politics-241961

“Maria Zakharova: 'Russophobia' official Estonian doctrine.” - ERR

Soome lahe idaosa keskkonnaseisund valmistab teadlastele muret

(Novaator)

“Soome laht on Läänemere üks enam reostunud piirkond. … Soome lahte suubuvad mitmed jõed, näiteks Neeva ja Narva jõgi. Kuna Soome lahe veevahetus on võrreldes teiste Läänemere piirkondadega märksa nõrgem, koguneb sinna palju ohtlikke aineid. Piirkonda mõjutab ka inimtegevus: Soome lahes on suured sadamaalad ja tihe laevaliiklus, mistõttu jõuab sinna naftasaaduste jääke.”

https://novaator.err.ee/1608844192/soome-lahe-idaosa-keskkonnaseisund-valmistab-teadlastele-muret

Estonia's Tax System: Simple, Efficient, and Transparent

(National Review)

“Estonia's Plain and Simple Tax Policy.”

https://www.nationalreview.com/2023/01/estonias-plain-and-simple-tax-policy/

Putin’s Next Big Idea: Have Belarus Invade Ukraine?

(19fortyfive)

“Colonel Roman Voloschuk of the 104th Territorial Defense Brigade revealed how the Ukrainian military has performed military drills in three secret locations in the northwestern regions of Ukraine recently.”

—

“Voloschuk described how the Ukrainian military is preparing for a possible assault from Belarus. “They can try, but we’re ready for them. We’ve prepared, every turn and every junction has been dug up. There will be colossal resistance from every building,”

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2023/01/putins-next-big-idea-have-belarus-invade-ukraine/

Ukraine: We are a de facto member of Nato alliance

(BBC)

“Oleksii Reznikov said he was sure Ukraine would receive long-sought weapons, including tanks and fighter jets, as both Ukraine and Russia seemed to be preparing for new offensives in the spring.”

—

"This concern about the next level of escalation, for me, is some kind of protocol," Mr Reznikov said. "Ukraine as a country, and the armed forces of Ukraine, became [a] member of Nato. De facto, not de jure (by law). Because we have weaponry, and the understanding of how to use it."

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64255249

          

Ukrainas haavata saanud Leedu vabatahtlikud peavad ravi omast taskust kinni maksma

(Postimees)

“Mitmekümnest Ukraina sõtta suundunu Leedu vabatahtlikust mõned on saanud rindel haavata, kuid avastanud koju naastes, et peavad ise maksma kinni meditsiinikulud ja taastusravi ning Leedu ringhäälingu LRTga rääkinud Kiievi allikate sõnul pole mingeid märke, et Vilnius oleks valmis omasid aitama.”

https://maailm.postimees.ee/7690425/ukrainas-haavata-saanud-leedu-vabatahtlikud-peavad-ravi-omast-taskust-kinni-maksma

Thursday 12. January

Estonia expels 21 Russian diplomats

(Estonian World Review | Moscow Times)

“Estonia's foreign minister Urmas Reinsalu announced the expulsion of 21 Russian diplomats and embassy staff in order to reach parity between diplomatic personnel between Russia and Estonia on Wednesday. The number of positions at Russia's embassy in Tallinn and Estonia's diplomatic mission in Moscow would now be equal, the foreign ministry added. The expelled individuals have been given until the end of the month to leave Estonia.”

https://www.eesti.ca/estonia-expels-21-russian-diplomats-and-staff/article59892

—

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/01/11/estonia-announces-expulsion-of-21-russian-diplomatic-staff-a79922

“Estonia expels more Russian diplomats in model for EU.” - EU Observer

“Estonia: recalling the Russian ambassador would be a clear signal.” - BNN

Estonia tells Russia to reduce the number of diplomats in Tallinn

(Reuters | ERR | BNN)

“… by February, the Baltic country's foreign ministry said on Wednesday. It said in a statement Russia should cut the number of diplomats to eight, equivalent to the number of Estonian diplomats in Moscow. The Russian embassy in Tallinn lists 17 diplomats on its website.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/estonia-tells-russia-reduce-number-diplomats-tallinn-2023-01-11/

—

https://news.err.ee/1608846436/estonia-tells-russia-to-reduce-embassy-staff-by-half

—

https://bnn-news.com/estonia-demands-to-reduce-the-number-of-employees-in-the-russian-embassy-241905

How allied Sweden and Finland can secure Northern Europe

(Atlantic Council)

“(NATO should) use the accession of Sweden and Finland to create an ambitious deterrence-by-denial “bubble” over Northern Europe. Such a strategy does not merely include military capabilities but must be underpinned by civil robustness and resilience that stretch across NATO territory. Operationally, allies in Northern Europe should prepare to assume greater responsibility as first responders in case of a severe security situation, below or at the level of Article 5. For this to succeed, political cooperation and agenda setting must intensify among Northern European allies.”

—

“… NATO has been too passive, not taking sufficient advantage of its strengths to assure capacity to operate within its own territory. So far, NATO’s response has been to increase presence in peacetime in the air and the waters affected, and to invest in capabilities that could “break the bubble” in case shooting started. This needs to change, as the aim expressed in the strategic concept is to “deny any potential adversary any possible opportunities for aggression.” NATO should reflect on the fact that Russia uses A2/AD strategy as part of its comprehensive approach to deterrence. If NATO could do the same, a new form of strategic balance could be established, which would serve to stabilize and prevent military conflict from breaking out.”

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/issue-brief/how-allied-sweden-finland-can-secure-northern-europe/

“Estonian defense chief: Russia will attack if it knows we cannot fight back.” - ERR

“Zelenskyy and Karis talk for first time in new year.” - Yahoo

“The number of Ukrainian refugees reaching Estonia has begun to fall – from 8,000 in October to under 3,500 in December.” - ERR

Sweden says Turkey asking for too much over NATO application

(Reuters, 8. Jan)

"Turkey both confirms that we have done what we said we would do, but they also say that they want things that we cannot or do not want to give them," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a defence think-tank conference in Sweden.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedish-pm-says-cannot-meet-all-turkeys-demands-nato-membership-support-2023-01-08/

“Sweden insists NATO membership talks with Turkey progressing well.” - Politico Europe

Nearly half of Europeans say their standards of living have 'already' declined as crises mount 

(Euronews)

“The cost-of-living crisis triggered by the Ukraine war, the energy crunch, surging inflation and the coronavirus pandemic has become the greatest worry for European Union citizens, according to a new Eurobarometer that shows 45% of respondents are currently having "some" or "a lot" difficulties with their personal income. The poll speaks of a "polycrisis mood" across the continent.”

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/01/12/nearly-half-of-europeans-say-their-standards-of-living-have-already-declined-as-crises-mou

74 % of Europeans support EU’s backing for Ukraine, poll finds

(Politico Europe)

“Almost as many — 73 % — said they agreed with the EU’s financial, military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine as well as sanctions against Russia, just as member countries are considering whether to speed up their military support for Ukraine.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-war-europe-support-74-percent-polls/

Wednesday 11. January

Nursipalu harjutusväli juba laieneb – läheb teeninduslinnaku ehituseks

Ülle Harju, ajakirjanik

(Postimees)

“Ala on valitud seetõttu, et see asub Tsiatsungõlmaa lasketiiru läheduses, on lähedal Võru Taara linnakule ning asub olemasolevale harjutusväljale lähedal,» põhjendas RKIKi harjutusväljade portfellijuht Elari Kalmaru.”

—

“Ettevõtmisega on kiire: juba 6. veebruariks peavad huvitatud ettevõtted tegema hinnapakkumise. Hanke võitja peab koostama projekti ning vähem kui 1,5 aastaga rajama Võru linna külje alla teeninduslinnaku koos ümbritseva välisruumi ning linnaku toimimiseks vajalike trasside ja ehitistega. Lisaks Tsiatsungõlmaa alale (kokku ligi 32 hektarit) hõlmab teeninduslinnak ka ümbritsevaid Võrumaa metskonna metsi. Uude linnakusse rajatakse 15 hoonet kogupindalaga ligi hektar (100 x 100 m).”

https://www.postimees.ee/7688274/nursipalu-harjutusvali-juba-laieneb-laheb-teeninduslinnaku-ehituseks

The Irreversible Change in Belarus

By Anna Nemtsova

(The Atlantic)

“Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discusses how the war in neighboring Ukraine is affecting her own people’s bid for freedom.”

—

“Lukashenko is under severe pressure from Putin to play a more active part in Moscow’s “special military operation” in Ukraine. In recent weeks, military analysts have noted a buildup of forces in Belarus that might presage a renewed assault over the border into northern Ukraine. Tsikhanouskaya, meanwhile, has become a sort of roving international ambassador for her country, working to raise the profile of Belarus’s fight for democracy and human rights, which is in many ways similar to that of its Ukrainian neighbor.”

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2023/01/sviatlana-tsikhanouskaya-belarus-russia-lukashenko-putin/672666/

“Belarus Also Wrestling with Brain Drain Problem.” - Paul Goble

Estonia firmly supports the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian opposition

(Baltic Times | ERR)

“Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu and Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended a public webinar on democracy in Belarus, with Reinsalu expressing support to the democratic aspirations of the people of Belarus and underlining that more pressure must be put on the Lukashenko regime.”

https://www.baltictimes.com/estonian_formin__we_must_continue_isolating_lukashenko_regime__step_up_sanctions/

—

https://news.err.ee/1608845590/estonian-fm-calls-for-continued-isolation-of-belarus-lukashenko-regime

“Journalists from Belarus' top news outlet go on trial.” - Washington Post

“Belarus: 32 journalists are currently behind bars, awaiting trial or serving their sentences.” - ABCNews

Receiving a parcel in Estonia from outside the EU is treated as an offence

By Sten Hankewitz

(Estonian World - 7. Jan)

“The Estonian postal and customs system deliberately makes receiving parcels from outside of the EU difficult – and for no other reason than ‘because it is so’.”

https://estonianworld.com/opinion/sten-hankewitz-receiving-a-parcel-in-estonia-from-outside-the-eu-its-treated-as-an-offence/

Latvia and Estonia discuss joint air defense

(Latvian Broadcasting)

“Latvian Defense Minister Ināra Mūrniece met with Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur during a working visit to Tallinn.”

https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/latvia-and-estonia-discuss-joint-air-defense.a491071/

Estonian Air: A Fleet History

(Simple Flying)

“A former national carrier of Estonia operated a small but unconventional fleet of aircraft.”

https://simpleflying.com/estonian-air-fleet-history/

The Arsenal of Democracy Is Back in Business. Sales to NATO almost doubled

(Foreign Policy)

“The three Baltic countries on NATO’s vulnerable eastern flank—Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia—all pursued plans to procure the types of U.S. long-range rocket and missile systems that helped Ukraine turn the tide of the war against Russia in recent months. The State Department approved a plan to sell up to six HIMARS rocket launchers to Estonia in July under its foreign military sales program, in a deal worth around $500 million. It approved a similar sale to Lithuania in November. A U.S. deal to sell HIMARS to Latvia is expected to be announced in early 2023, according to several U.S. and European officials familiar with the matter.”

https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/12/29/arms-sales-united-states-nato-russia-ukraine-war-the-arsenal-of-democracy-is-back-in-business/

Levada Center Director: “Russians Have Little Compassion for the Ukrainians”

(Spiegel)

“Interview with Lev Gudkov, the scientific director of the Levada Center, the only independently operating opinion research institute in Russia. When Gudkov surveyed the mood among people in Russia shortly after the war began, it was a watershed moment, he says. At the time, 68 percent of respondents supported the attack on Ukraine. Ten months later, the picture he paints is even bleaker.

https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/opinion-researcher-lev-gudkov-russians-have-little-compassion-for-the-ukrainians-a-066c08c6-60f4-48e1-853a-d2b3d67bd6b8

- Putin’s War -

Like the Bolsheviks in 1917, Putin has Destroyed Russia, Leaving It Much Like Hitler’s Germany in 1944

By Leonid Gozman, Paul Goble

“Russia was destroyed once before, by the Bolsheviks in 1917, Gozman says; and it took decades of often painful effort to come back. What is happening now is “something very similar.” Before this year, Russia was associated with both good and bad things; but now it is associated in the minds of the world only with the bad just like Hitler’s Reich.”

—

            “Not only is there no Russia, there is no Russian army, and there is no Russian president either, the politician says. “Everything tht we build since the late 1980s has been destroyed. There is no Russian culture.” Instead, there is “an emptiness” that references to Russian classics of the past cannot fill.”

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2023/01/like-bolsheviks-in-1917-putin-has.html

‘Hellish’ battle for Soledar symbolises state of Russia’s war in Ukraine

(The Guardian)

“Fall of saltmining town would be propaganda coup for Kremlin but analysts say scale of casualties make it a pyrrhic victory.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/13/hellish-battle-soledar-symbolises-russia-war-ukraine

“Russian War Chiefs Squabble Over Credit for Allegedly Capturing Town.” - The Daily Beast

“Russia is touting a rare military victory, but Ukraine disputes that claim.” - NPR

“Russia Claims Win, Analysts Say Capture of Soledar Is ‘Pyrrhic Victory’.” - The Moscow Times

“Ukraine has rejected claims by Russia of a rare battleground success.” - RFERL

“What the Disaster in Ukraine Has Done to the Kremlin—and to Russia.” - Foreign Affairs

Report: Russia’s Anti-Putin Underground

By ‘The Popular Front’

“Anti-Putin Russian partisans began to launch sabotage operations against Kremlin infrastructure inside their country. After almost one year of war, these cells in Russia have grown exponentially. From Moscow to Vladivostok, there have been more than 80 confirmed anti-government attacks in the past 12 months.”

—

“To document Russia's anti-Putin underground first hand, journalists met with two members of one of the most well organised Russian partisan groups.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u1lXr1vShI

“Meet the dissident Russians living the nightmare from which it is impossible to wake up from.” - CNN

Venemaa uus sihtmärk on kaardid, kus Krimm kuulub veel Ukrainale

(Postimees)

[It may soon become a crime in Russia to print maps where Crimea and other parts of Ukraine are not depicted as Russian territory.]

https://wallstreetjournal.postimees.ee/7690289/wsj-venemaa-uus-sihtmark-on-kaardid-kus-krimm-kuulub-veel-ukrainale

Russia replaces general in charge of Ukraine war in latest military shake-up

(The Guardian | 19fortyfive | Moscow Times)

“Russia has appointed Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, as its overall commander for the war in Ukraine, in the latest of several major shake-ups of Moscow’s military leadership during the stumbling invasion of its neighbour. In a statement, the defence ministry said that Gerasimov’s appointment constituted a “raising of the status of the leadership” of the military force in Ukraine and was implemented to “improve the quality … and effectiveness of the management of Russian forces”.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/11/russia-replaces-general-in-charge-of-ukraine-war-in-latest-military-shake-up?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

—

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2023/01/yikes-putin-just-dumped-his-top-commander-in-ukraine/

—

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/12/vladimir-putin-military-reshuffle-more-about-politics-than-a-change-of-strategy

—

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/01/12/russias-war-leadership-reset-signals-power-struggle-among-top-brass-experts-a79926

Putin’s shake-up of Russia’s commanders won’t quell infighting

(Politico Europe)

“After only three months as overall commander of Russia’s war, General Sergei Surovikin has been replaced by his boss, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the country’s most senior soldier. Colonel General Alexander Lapin was promoted to chief of the general staff of the ground forces. Both Western security analysts and pro-war Russian military veterans, however, are skeptical this game of musical chairs will trigger any game-changing tactics or help restore momentum to the Russian campaign. Surovikin will continue as Gerasimov’s battlefield deputy.”

—

“They see the shake-up as largely political, and a sign of infighting in the Kremlin, with the defense ministry trying to reassert control of the management of the war and to curb the growing influence of paramilitary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the mercenary Wagner Group.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/putins-reshuffle-russia-commanders-quell-infighting/

The brutal methods of Russia’s Wagner Group

(The New Statesman)

“Since its founding Wagner has been deployed as a shadow arm of Russian foreign policy – used to prop up Kremlin allies around the world, always conveniently deniable and difficult to conclusively link to Putin. Wagner mercenaries turned up wherever there was a war in which the Kremlin had a stake. They have reportedly been deployed on battlefields in Ukraine, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Wagner has been linked to several atrocities in Africa, such as a March 2022 massacre in the Malian town of Moura, in which government forces and Wagner soldiers allegedly murdered over 300 people during a campaign against Islamist rebels. The group also fought in support of Bashar al-Assad’s forces during the Syrian Civil War.”

https://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/ukraine/2022/11/brutal-methods-russia-wagner-group-vladimir-putin

“The Russian history of destruction.” - Novaya Gazeta Europe

Opinion: It’s High Time to Prepare for Russia’s Collapse

By Alexander J. Motyl, Rutgers University

(Foreign Policy, 7. Jan.)

“(Policymakers) should avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, such as trying to help a clearly dying Soviet Union survive and prioritizing the needs of Russia over those of its neighbors.”

—

“The countries along Russia’s border - from the Baltic states to Central Asia - will be key to containing whatever instability takes place within Russia. They will also be key to helping the Russian Federation’s newly independent successor states stabilize and behave with moderation.”

—

“Seen in this light, continued strong Western support for Ukraine—and eventually for a free Belarus and key countries like Kazakhstan—is the best guarantee that the aftershocks will be minimized if Putin’s empire comes to an end.”

https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/01/07/russia-ukraine-putin-collapse-disintegration-civil-war-empire/

Russia’s capitulation as its saving grace

Opinion by Leonid Gozman

(Novaya Gazeta Europe, 14. Dec, 2022)

“The war started by Vladimir Putin has no rational or achievable goals. This war is not about trying to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO … This war is solely about destroying Ukraine: as a state, as a culture, as a nation. Putin does not like Ukraine: that’s just how it is. He never tried to hide his goals either.”

—

“We have grounds to believe that destroying Ukraine is just an intermediate goal. It should be followed by another war aiming to subjugate the entire Western (European, Christian) civilisation to Putin. … This is why this war cannot end with the signing of treaties or with reaching a compromise between the warring sides, as most wars in history do. Ukraine cannot agree with the condition that demands it to cease to exist as a state.”

https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2022/12/14/russias-capitulation-as-its-saving-grace-en

“Opinion: Putin Has No Red Lines.” - New York Times

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