Kaja Kallas vies to become EU’s next foreign policy chief
(Politico Europe | Postimees | RFERL)
“The former Estonian prime minister came prepared and delivered a smooth performance. Relaxed and apparently at ease in the hot seat, Kallas gave succinct but clear answers even to tricky questions, setting herself apart from other commissioner hopefuls.”
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“After three hours, the audience came away with a sharper impression of how their next high representative might act in the job: hawkish on Russia, supportive of Ukraine, demanding of the United States as an ally — though she barely mentioned President-elect Donald Trump — and cautious on the conflict in the Middle East.”
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“As Kallas herself noted, she represents a “fresh face” for EU foreign policy after five years of Spanish socialist Josep Borrell, who drew the ire of Europe’s conservatives over his positions critical of Israel.”
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https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-us-ties-kallas-trump-european-defense-russia-china-ukraine-/33199538.html
“Kallas’ confirmation hearing: Video.” - European Union
Kallas ütles julgelt Venemaa kohta ja jäi ettevaatlikuks Lähis-Ida küsimustes
(Postimees)
“Ma paneks «viie», vastas europarlamendi väliskomisjoni aseesimees Urmas Paet pärast Kaja Kallase kuulamist küsimusele, kuidas hindaks ta parteikaaslase esinemist viiepallisüsteemis.”
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“See oli ootuspärane, vähemat või nõrgemat ma ei oleks eeldanudki. Kõik olulisemad teemad said kaetud, kõik küsimused, millele oli selles positsioonis võimalik vastata, said vastatud,» tunnustas Paet (RE), kes kuulub Uueneva Euroopa fraktsiooni. «Kui paar äärmuslast väga venemeelsete seisukohtadega välja tulid, siis ta nii sisuliselt kui emotsionaalselt vastas nii, nagu sinna konteksti sobis.”
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“Kallase kuulamise põhiteemad olid Ukraina, Aafrika ning Venemaa ja tema sõbrad.” - ERR
“Euroopa Komisjoni kinnitamist tabas europarlamendis tagasilöök.” - ERR
Tallinna jõuluturu algust nihutati Skandinaavia turistide tõttu
(ERR)
“Tallinna jõuluturg avatakse sel aastal tavapäratult vara, sest turismiettevõtjate sõnul soovisid seda Skandinaavia turistid. Jõuluturg avatakse tänavu 22. novembril. Näiteks mullu avati jõuluturg 1. detsembril. Ka see, et jõuluturg lõpetab enne aastavahetust, pole tavaline: tänavu suletakse turg vahetult peale jõulude lõppu ehk 27. detsembril.”
https://www.err.ee/1609520209/tallinna-jouluturu-algust-nihutati-skandinaavia-turistide-tottu
“Tallinn's Christmas tree was installed on Raekoja plats on Nov. 13, 2024.” - ERR
“Tallinn ice rinks open: winter skating season gets underway.” - ERR
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What Does Trump Mean for the Baltics?
By Aliide Naylor, CEPA
“In the Baltic states, as in Ukraine, Donald Trump’s November 5th election victory was marked by a deep breath followed by a focus on the positive. Baltic politicians (past and present) started to note the potential benefits. Former Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid, in a recent interview with ERR, seemed to take the increasingly popular tack that the Biden administration has been milquetoast during the four years it has been in power, while also expressing cautious optimism.”
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“The Biden administration has been very modest and careful,” she told the state media outlet. “I would remain cautiously optimistic, with the caveat that you can never predict what Trump is going to do, based on the past.”
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“The more general feeling among the Estonian population was that a Harris win was preferable, said local journalist Vilja Kiisler. But a sense of pragmatism still prevails. “Estonian politicians have always been aware that Estonia has to be able communicate and cooperate with Trump’s administration, and they have prepared for it. Not happy, but not discouraged either.”
https://cepa.org/article/what-does-trump-mean-for-the-baltics/
“Mapping Russia’s War Machine On Nato’s Doorstep.” - By Anna Gielewska, VSQUARE
“How could Trump's plans affect Estonia?” - By Liisbeth Rats, ERR
“Kaljulaid: Trumpiga tuleb leida koostöökohad seismaks vastu suuremale kurjale.” - ERR
Estonia boosts €12 million drone wall to counter eastern border threats
(ERR)
“The state is ramping up efforts to detect and counter drones along Estonia's eastern border and around major towns and critical or sensitive infrastructure zones. With a hostile eastern neighbor using drone tech more and more, not only for hybrid activities but for criminal activities such as smuggling, a €12 million government-backed "drone wall" project is already underway.”
“European Union supports Estonia in purchasing weapons and ammunition.” - Postimees
“Eesti hakkab Ukraina relvaabi ostma oma kaitsetööstuselt.” - Postimees
Eesti keele vestmik osutus Jaapanis üllatavalt populaarseks
Margus Muld, ERR
“Jaapanis anti septembris välja jaapani-eesti vestmik, mille 3000-ne tiraaž on juba lõppemas ja kirjastaja plaanib juurde trükkida 2000 raamatut. … "Me oleme väga üllatunud, et seda raamatut on nii palju müüdud. Kui võrrelda müüginumbreid teiste meie kirjastuse keeleraamatutega, siis eesti keele vestmik on populaarsuselt üsna lähedal inglise või prantsuse keele raamatutele," lausus Kojin Kumagai. "Teatavasti Tokyo ja Helsingi vahel on otseliin ja nii mõnigi satub seetõttu ka Eestisse. Ja läbi selle jaapanlased on hakanud vaikselt Eestit avastama.”
https://www.err.ee/1609521745/eesti-keele-vestmik-osutus-jaapanis-ullatavalt-populaarseks
Opinion: Visit Georgia or Moldova to gain a better appreciation of how well things have progressed in Estonia
By Raul Rebane, ERR
“The U.S. election recently drew much of the world's attention, but now it's time to look closer to home. Elections in two of our former Soviet-era peers, Georgia and Moldova, are also of great significance to us. Above all, they offer a chance to learn why these countries' paths have diverged from ours.”
https://news.err.ee/1609518326/raul-rebane-estonia-s-troubles-aren-t-the-world-let-us-look-beyond
Defense Forces Blasted the Kanama Bridge on the Tallinn-Pärnu Highway
(Postimees | ERR)
“… which the Transport Administration plans to rebuild with significantly higher load-bearing capacity. The demolition of the bridge, set for deconstruction, provided the Defense Forces with experience in organizing delaying actions at tactical support points. The demolition operation was led by Captain Urmas Tonto from the 1st Infantry Brigade’s Engineer Battalion. According to him, one of the battalion's tasks is to impede or halt the enemy’s advance while ensuring movement for their own units. The Kanama bridge demolition offers an excellent opportunity to practice these tasks in real-life conditions.”
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https://news.err.ee/1609519156/watch-again-kanama-viaduct-demolition
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“Kanama viadukti varistamine.” - ERR
“Crime in Estonia rises 4% on year, fraud up 25%.” - ERR
“Mag. 2.2 quake - 45 km southwest of Pärnu, on Wednesday.” - Volcano Discovery
“A military mindset returns to Europe.” - By Erkki Bahovski, Postimees
“Kohus põhjendas vangi vabastamata jätmist sõjaga Ukrainas.” - Põhjarannik
“Estonian defmin in Kyiv: Ukraine can defend itself if we give it the opportunity.” - The Baltic Times
“Estonian court denies expulsion of prisoner to Russia, citing war in Ukraine.” - ERR
“New KUMU exhibition shows sketches of war-torn Tartu.” - ERR
“Kumus avati Hilda Kamdroni Tartu kadumist kujutav traumatsükkel.” - ERR
"Estonia to provide Ukraine with air defense missiles for testing." - Defence Industry Europe (DIE)
“Dozens of pieces of wartime munitions found on Saaremaa.” - Baltic Times
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Around the Baltic Sea
EU's eastern border sees 195% growth in 'irregular' or illegal crossings
(Latvian Broadcasting | Frontex)
“While other parts of the border saw an improved situation, the eastern border saw "high numbers of arrivals" with an increase of 195% in the first 10 months of 2024 to 15,237. In October alone, the eastern border saw 1,611 irregular arrivals – more than the western Mediterranean. The main countries from which these arrivals came were Ukraine, Somalia and Eritrea, Frontex said.”
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Baltic Sea defence exercise 'Freezing Winds 24’ begins next week
(Yle)
“Troops from Finland, U.S., France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will take part.”
“The Joint Expeditionary Force: Baltic Interests.” - ICDS
“NATO completes first large-scale military exercise in Latvia.” - Euronews
Rail Baltica could be a military lifeline for the Baltics if it stays on track
(The Baltic Sentinel)
“Anthony Lawrence, a researcher at the Estonian International Centre for Defense and Security, has previously explained the critical importance of the railway for Baltic defense: "Firstly, rail is the fastest way to move large amounts of military equipment across Europe.”
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“In March 2020, Lawrence co-authored a report with retired U.S. Army General Ben Hodges and retired Colonel Ray Wojcik, recommending that investments in military mobility infrastructure be classified as defense expenditures. The report emphasized the need for significant investments in rail infrastructure, including heavy load rail wagons and logistical hubs, to enhance military mobility in the region. Critical chokepoints, such as the Suwałki Corridor, were identified as having limited rail and road capacity.”
Baltics wait for Europe's strategic new railway in Russia's shadow
By Lisa Louis, BBC News
“Estonia's Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet said the rail link is vital amid the Russian war in Ukraine. “History is repeating itself,” he said. “Putin's aggressive regime is trying to recreate an imperial project on the territory of the former Soviet bloc.”
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“Rail Baltica will increase military mobility and allow trains to go directly from the Netherlands to Tallinn,” Cmdr Peter Nielsen, from Nato's Force Integration Unit, said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2n4r9reejo
Frozen Ties: How Finland became the NHL’s European Hockey Hub
(Helsinki Times)
“The National Hockey League (NHL) has increasingly recognized the global appeal of ice hockey, expanding its reach outside North America to engage fans in other parts of the world. Finland has become a particular focal point for these efforts, hosting NHL regular-season games and showcasing the deep bond between the league and Finnish hockey culture.”
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“How Trump's election might impact Finland's security and defence policies.” - Yle
“Latvia's population down by 15,000 so far this year.” - Latvian Broadcasting
“No need to mince words: an assessment of what Trump’s victory means for Lithuania.” - Lithuania Tribune
“Finns Party MPs call for burka ban in public places.” - Yle
“New Russian church raises suspicions in Västerås, Sweden.” - Politico
“Finns choose Estonia as best international travel destination of 2024.” - The Baltic Times
“Lithuania allows border guards to shoot down drones.” - LRT
“Finland Proposes Hosting a NATO Reconnaissance Drone Base on Its Territory.” - Baltic Sentinel
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Putin’s Forever War
“Taking advantage of the post-election tumult in the United States, and seemingly anticipating major changes in the U.S. relationship with Ukraine, Russia is going for broke in Kursk.”
- David Axe, Forbes
West repeating error of 1980s and overrating Moscow’s strength and survivability
By Paul Goble
“In the 1980s, Western governments and experts overrated both the strength and likely longevity of the Soviet Union, with many assuming it would survive and perhaps even prosper over at least several decades. Now, Peter Zashev says, their successors are making a similar mistake about Putin’s Russia.
In fact, the Russian scholar now at the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga says, “Putin’s Russia is weak, even very weak,” despite the bluffing Moscow has once again used with such success to convince the West otherwise …s
http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2024/11/west-repeating-error-of-1980s-and.html
Kremlin and FSB reportedly order Moscow's GULAG History Museum to close, claiming safety issues
(Moscow Times | Meduza | The Guardian)
“Officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, admitted that Moscow City Hall was pressured to close the museum …”
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“The museum’s closure came as a surprise to museum management and staff, who learned about it on the same day as the authorities’ announcement. First established in 2001, the Gulag History Museum tells visitors the story of the Soviet Union’s vast network of forced labor camps, as well as their legacy in modern Russia, with artifacts gathered from all over the country. Russian authorities have worked to downplay Soviet-era repressions in recent years, an effort that has intensified since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/14/gulag-history-museum-moscow-russia-closed
Putin’s goal is not defeating Ukraine but inflicting a humiliating defeat on the West
By Paul Goble
“Any Western leader who believes that he can ‘settle accounts with Putin by paying him off with pieces of Ukraine’ is surprisingly naïve, Vladimir Pastukhov says, “because of Putin, Ukraine is not the goal of this war at all. He doesn’t care about that country but rather seeks to inflict a humiliating defeat on the West” and changing the international order. If any Western leader does take part in talks with Putin about Ukraine, the London-based Russian analyst says, then it is already obvious that “this dialogue won’t be about territory” but about something much larger …”
http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2024/11/putins-goal-is-not-defeating-ukraine.html
Russian counteroffensive in Kursk Oblast is off to a bloody and chaotic start
By David Axe, Forbes
“After six days, Ukrainian drone operator Kriegsforscher has identified 77 destroyed Russian armored vehicles along the northwestern edge of the 250-square-mile salient Ukrainian troops occupy in Kursk.”
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“On Tuesday, the Ukrainian general staff reported record single-day Russian losses of 1,950 troops killed and wounded as well as 104 destroyed armored vehicles all along the 800-mile front line of Russia’s wider war on Ukraine.”
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“Generally speaking, they are pushing to capture as much as possible, for many reasons,” analyst Andrew Perpetua wrote about the Russians. “First, they are running out of resources to fight the war; second, their economy is shit; third, they view Ukraine as vulnerable; fourth, they see the United States as utterly impotent.”
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“Russia Reportedly Suffered Record 1,500 Casualties Daily In October.” - RFERL
“Kremlin-occupied Ukraine is now a totalitarian hell.” - The Economist
“Taiwan May Have Rearmed Ukraine’s Air Defense Force.” - Forbes
Kyiv’s backers reportedly take comfort in Trump’s Cabinet picks
(Politico)
“They’re very cautiously optimistic that Trump’s first national security nominees are bad news for Putin.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/12/kyiv-backers-trump-cabinet-national-security-00189137
The law is ‘not airtight’: Trump may have a way to get out of NATO
(Politico)
“In 2023, Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) authored legislation requiring that any presidential decision to exit NATO must have either two-thirds Senate approval or be authorized through an act of Congress. Lawmakers passed the measure as part of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law.”
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“Legal experts warn that Trump could try to sidestep Congress’s NATO guardrail, citing presidential authority over foreign policy … If Trump simply declared he was pulling out of the alliance, it’s unclear whether Congress would have the legal standing to sue him for ignoring the law, according to Curtis Bradley, the Allen M. Singer distinguished service professor at the University of Chicago Law School.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/08/trump-nato-congress-courts-00188426
“Trump Should Not Let Putin Claim Victory in Ukraine, Says NATO Official.” - NYT
Finnish foreign minister dismisses 'Finlandisation' for Ukraine
(Reuters | Yle)
“Elina Valtonen says Ukraine can't be forced to stay out of Nato just to appease Russia. Valtonen's comments were in response to the possibility of incoming US president Donald Trump moving to quickly end Russia's war in Ukraine. Some of Ukraine's allies are concerned that Ukraine could be forced to abstain from seeking membership of Nato in exchange for peace talks with Russia to move forward. "I'm against it [Finlandisation], yes. Let's face it, Ukraine was neutral before they were attacked by Russia.”
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https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-dismisses-finlandisation-model-ukraine-2024-11-11/
Putin Finalizes North Korea Defense Deal
(The Moscow Times)
“North Korea has become one of the most vocal and important backers of Russia's full-scale offensive on Ukraine. The deal obligates both states to provide military assistance "without delay" in the case of an attack on the other.”
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/11/10/putin-finalizes-north-korea-defense-deal-a86969
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