Euroopa peab ise hakkama saama
Meinhard Pulk ja Mikk Salu
(Postimees)
“Ligi kuu aega pärast seda, kui kolm Balti riiki teatasid, et tahavad tõsta kaitsekulud viie protsendini sisemajanduse kogutoodangust (SKT), on Euroopa julgeolekukeskkond Müncheni konverentsi ja ameeriklaste sõnumite valguses muutunud veel alarmeerivamaks.”
—
“Nii eelarvereeglite leevendamise kui ka kõigi teiste Euroopa-üleste otsuste puhul on pilgud suunatud 23. veebruari Saksamaa üldvalimistele, aga sealt edasi ka märtsis avaldatavale, ELi välisasjade ja julgeolekupoliitika kõrge esindaja Kaja Kallase (RE) ning kaitsevoliniku Andrius Kubiliuse koostatavale Euroopa kaitsevaldkonna valgele paberile.”
Valitsustüli: kahe tunniga lendas kogu Eesti energeetikaplaan vastu taevast
Mikk Salu, Postimees
“Valitsus on tülis. Kliimaminister Yoko Alender (RE) šokeeris koalitsioonipartnereid otsusega mitte toetada meretuuleparkide ehitamist. Sotsiaademokraatliku Erakonna esimehe, siseminister Lauri Läänemetsa arvates ei kehti enam ükski energeetikakokkulepe. Eesti 200 süüdistab sotse väljapressimises.”
—
“Neljapäevasel valitsuse istungil tõmmati kriips peale poolteist aastat küpsetud suurele energeetikakavale. Kolm nädalat tagasi kolme erakonnajuhi – Kristen Michali, Kristina Kallase ja Läänemetsa – välja käidud «Suur energeetikaotsus» enam ei kehti.”
“Government scraps €2.6 billion aid plan for offshore wind farm construction.” - ERR
“Ministry memo: Government misled the public over offshore wind farms cost.” - ERR
Tuuleparkide arendajad keelasid tuulikuküsitluste täpsete tulemuste avaldamise
Ülle Harju, Postimees
“Tuulikuküsitluse esitluses polnud esitatud sotsioloogilistele küsitlustele tavapäraseid andmeid. Näiteks polnud kirjas, kuidas olid sõnastatud küsimused, mida kohalikelt inimestelt tuulikutesse suhtumise teemal küsiti, millised olid ette antud vastusevariandid ja kuidas vastanute arvamus nende variantide vahel protsentuaalselt jagunes. Samuti ei saanud teada, paljud küsitletutest elavad planeeritavate tuuleparkide mõjupiirkonnas ja paljud mitte.”
—
“Kohalikud inimesed olid juba varem mõistatanud, keda küll küsitleti. «Lugesime sellest küsitlusest ajalehest, keegi vähemalt meie külast ei tea sellest midagi, meil elab 20 inimest,» nentis sotsiaalmeedias tuulepargi planeeringuala külje alla jääva Rünga küla elanik Hilli Uigru. «Fakt on see, et mingi antropoloog meie külas mingit küsitlust ei teinud,» väitis ta Postimehele. «Keda Vinni vallas küsitleti, ma ei tea,» ütles Mait Mölder, kelle maavaldused asuvad Tudu ümbrusse planeeritavate tuuleparkide läheduses.”
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EstoNews On-Line:
https://estonewsoftheweek.blogspot.com/
EstoNews Dropbox Archive:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1kvd04gtar6ty2b/AADCUK2J_RXcMyIYf_sjnAwoa?dl=0
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Estonia's tech investors take defence into their own hands as Russian threat looms
(Reuters)
“Region's defence tech funding rounds tripled since 2022. Estonia aims to boost defence tech sector to $2 bln by 2030.”
Arvamus: Mida Euroopa nüüd teeb, sõltub suurel määral surmahirmust
Eerik-Niiles Kross, Postimees
“See võib osutuda hetkeks, mil lõplikult selgub Euroopa Liidu marginaliseerumine geopoliitilise jõukesena. See võib osutuda nädalavahetuseks, mil Euroopa võttis ennast kokku ja otsustas ise oma saatust määrata. See võib osutuda kummaliseks arusaamatusseigaks Euroopa ja USA suhetes, aga võib ka tähistada täiesti uute transatlantiliste suhete algust.”
—
“Äratuskell on nii ärakasutatud klišee, et proovida kuulutada Trumpi otsus mitte kutsuda Euroopa Liitu või isegi Euroopa olulisemaid riike (kasvõi Teise maailmasõja võitjaid) läbirääkimistele Putini Venemaaga järjekordseks äratuskellaks oleks koomiline. Äratuskellad on helisenud vähemalt 2008. aastast saadik ja Euroopa või suurem osa sellest ei ole seni pidanud vajalikuks voodist välja tulla. Nüüd selgus, et tundi on nii palju hiljaks jäädud, et sinna enam ei oodatagi.”
“Arvamus: Venemaa on saavutanud ühe selge võidu.” - Postimees
“Opinion: What Europe will do now depends largely on the fear of death.” - Postimees
“Europe — Stop Hitting Snooze and Wake Up.” - CEPA
“Estonian spymaster: Europe's intelligence services should be more aggressive.” - ERR
‘Espresso Macchiato’ - Estonia’s Official Entry For Eurovision 2025
(Sprudge)
“Espresso Macchiato by Estonian rapper and visual artist Tommy Cash.”
“Tommy Cash - Espresso Macchiato” - YouTube [Nearly 3 million views]
“Itaalia tarbijakaitse tahab Tommy Cashi loo eemaldamist Eurovisioonilt.” - Postimees
“Consumer group complains about song’s stereotypes of Italians – but other Italians say the lyrics are ‘no stresso’.” - The Guardian
Seto leelot saab nüüd õppida veebirakenduse abil
(Novaator)
“Uus veebirakendus aitab mõista ja õppida seto mitmehäälset laulutraditsiooni ehk seto leelot. Rakenduses saab vaadata, kuulata ja kirjutada seto noodikirjas laule ning õppida leelot samm-sammult. Seto leelo on üle tuhande aasta vana setode traditsiooniline laulmisstiil, mille kooris on kaks peamist häält: põhihääl torrõ, mida laulab enamik lauljaid, ja ülemine soolo-saatehääl killõ. Põhihääle lauljad kasutasid vanemas stiilis eri viisivariante: eri hääled liiguvad lahku, kokku, risti-rästi, ning see tekitas mustrilise kõlapildi.”
https://novaator.err.ee/1609607768/seto-leelot-saab-nuud-oppida-veebirakenduse-abil
“New web app explores unique features of Seto leelo tradition.” - ERR
Prantsusmaa korraldab teise Ukraina kohtumise, Eesti sai kutse
(ERR | Reuters)
“Kaks diplomaatilist allikat teatasid, et kutsutud riigid on Norra, Kanada, kolm Balti riiki, Tšehhi, Kreeka, Soome, Rumeenia, Rootsi ja Belgia. Allikad teatasid, et mõned riigid võivad osaleda kohtumisel videosilla teel. Eesti osaleb samuti videosilla vahendusel.”
https://www.err.ee/1609609241/reuters-prantsusmaa-korraldab-teise-ukraina-kohtumise-eesti-sai-kutse
Emajõgi flooded the Tartu area
(ERR)
“… which had already reached a 13-year high on Monday. The rise in water level is caused by ice and snow accumulation downstream, and by Tuesday morning very large snow deposits had reached the Tartu area.”
https://news.err.ee/1609608716/environment-agency-issues-level-one-flood-warning-for-tartu-area
“Neljapäeva hommikuks oli Emajõe veetase langenud Tartus tagasi alla kriitilise piiri.” - ERR
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“Estonia phases out Russian as a language of instruction.” - Euronews
“Kodukaevude olukord hävitab ettekujutuse Eesti puhtast joogiveest.” - ERR
“Estonia's average old-age pension rises to €817 per month.” - ERR
“How can Estonia afford a high defense budget, and how do its people feel about the increase?” - Deutsche Welle
“Kuperjanovi jalaväepataljon alustas Türgist ostetud soomukitel väljaõpet.” - ERR
“Estonia's EV charging infrastructure lagging rest of Europe.” - ERR
“Estonian spy chief: ‘Hybrid schmybrid, what’s happening is attacks’.” - The Record
“Equipment check ahead of Independence Day parade underway at Tapa.” - ERR
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Our New World of Donald Trump
Lecture by Toomas Hendrik Ilves
(Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies)
“Ilves warns that the world is witnessing the most radical upheaval in the U.S. since its founding. Pax Americana—the global order established after WWII—is collapsing, and Europe must prepare for a future where American leadership is no longer guaranteed.”
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NB! This lecture was given at Tartu University on 19. Feb. 2025. I had inquired if video of the lecture would be made available. The email reply from the Johan Skytte Institute was: “Kahjuks praeguse seisuga antud loengut plaan salvestada ega üle kanda ei ole.” Hopefully a transcript will appear one day. From a third party I received a summary of his lecture, which is posted in the EstoNews’ Dropbox account with this link:
USA-Venemaa kõneluste algamine on Putinile absoluutne võit
(ERR)
“See, et USA alustas Venemaaga kõnelusi, on Venemaa liidri Vladimir Putini vaatest täielik võit, sest ta saab dikteerida teemasid ja on pannud USA presidendi Donald Trumpi rääkima Venemaa narratiive, ütles Eesti välisminister Margus Tsahkna.”
—
“Juba kas või see, et need kõnelused algasid ja algasid nii, et täna ju Putin dikteerib teemasid, kuni selleni välja, et mida Trump ka viimaste tundide jooksul on öelnud. Ehk see narratiiv, mida Putin on rääkinud, on millegipärast saanud samamoodi Trumpi omaks, mida me ei kujutanud võib-olla isegi kuu aega tagasi ette. See on kindlasti halb. Ainukene diktaator, ainukene türann, ainukene agressor, ainukene sõjakurjategija siin on ikkagi Putin, selles ei ole ju mingit kahtlust," rääkis Tsahkna, viidates Trumpi kolmapäevasele sõnavõtule, milles nimetas Ukraina presidenti Volodõmõr Zelenskit valimisteta diktaatoriks.”
https://www.err.ee/1609610414/tsahkna-usa-venemaa-koneluste-algamine-on-putinile-absoluutne-voit
What Ukrainians think of the U.S. president’s peace talks with Putin
By Jedidajah Otte, The Guardian
“Ukrainians inside the country and abroad express their hopelessness, anger and defiance at negotiations between Washington and Moscow.”
—
“While outrage over Trump’s comments in recent days was most common, hundreds of Ukrainians also vented their frustrations about European leaders and previous US administrations, who they felt had never supported them sufficiently in their fight against Putin since his annexation of Crimea in 2014.”
“29 times Donald Trump did what Putin wanted.” - Politico Europe
Around the Baltic Sea
How a Nordic-Baltic coalition of the willing can do even more for Ukraine
By Lesia Ogryzko, ECFR
“The Nordic-Baltic 8 (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden) stands as a strong, unified bloc well-positioned to support Ukraine. Public backing in the NB8 for Ukraine remains sky-high, with surveys showing strong support for military aid while pro-Russian parties remain on the sidelines. A shared history of Russian conflict reinforces these countries’ stance against aggression, aligning their interests closely with Ukraine’s.”
“Nordic-Baltic 8 leaders 'stand fully and firmly behind Ukraine’.” - ERR
“Nordic-Baltic Leader’s Statement” - Kristen Michal on X (Twitter)
“Countries of the Nordic-Baltic 8 are ramping up preparations for a military conflict.” - France24
Nato troops in Finland may raise Russian intelligence activity
(Helsinki Times)
“… according to a new report from the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF). The report suggests that Russia is particularly interested in monitoring Nato's military operations and equipment stationed in Finland. The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) has warned that Russian and Chinese intelligence agencies have increased their focus on Finland since it joined Nato. Supo has tightened surveillance at key infrastructure sites, including the Port of Kemi, where Nato troops and equipment arrive for exercises.”
The U.S. sees conflict of attitudes between old Europe, and the ex-Eastern bloc
(The Baltic Times)
“Former Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid, who participated in the Munich Security Conference last week, believes that the new US administration has come to understand the differing attitudes toward defense spending between old Europe and the former Eastern bloc. She also noted that Estonia's record-level spending on defense has been noticed on the other side of the Atlantic.”
No US troop withdrawals from Baltics
(Postimees)
“Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur from the Reform Party refutes a claim published on Monday in the Financial Times, which, citing anonymous European sources, suggested that the United States plans to withdraw its troops from the Baltic states. … There is no point in getting caught up in rumors.”
“Poola president: USA kinnitas, et ei plaani vägesid välja viia.” - ERR
“Poola president Duda: USA ei vähenda vägede arvu Euroopas.” - Delfi
Interviews:
EU’s Kaja Kallas - The Baltic Sentinel
Finland President Alexander Stubb - CNBC International
Historian Timothy Snyder - Radio France International
Journalist Anne Applebaum - Decoding Geopolitics
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“Danish PM: Russia now threatens the whole of Europe.” - Delfi
"Sweden confirms another subsea cable disruption in the Baltic Sea near the coast of Gotland.” - Radio Poland
“Nato troops in Finnish Lapland may increase Russian espionage efforts.” - Yle
“Lithuanian defense minister urges Europe to be 'armed to the teeth' amid US-Russia talks.” - Euronews
“EU targets €6B Ukraine military aid package.” - Politico Europe
“No easy paths ahead for Europe on Ukraine, former Lithuanian foreign minister says.” - CBC
“Läti tõstab tulevatel aastatel kaitsekulud viie protsendini SKP-st.” - ERR
“Drones from 5 Lithuanian manufacturers successfully tested in Ukraine.” - CensorNet
“Finnish President Alexander Stubb says Europe must do more for its own security.” - Yle
“We need America and America needs us, says Kaja Kallas.” - Baltic Times
“Latvian security service: Russia is ramping up its sabotage plans.” - LSM
“What the European papers say about the Paris summit on Ukraine.” - The Guardian
“Sweden's Foreign Minister Stenergard says Sweden is not ruling out sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.” - Radio Sweden
“Fake US Promises to Ukraine? Kaja Kallas’ Warning.” - Eudebates.tv
“Lapland: Finland’s hottest holiday home market.” - Helsinki Times
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Putin’s Invasion
‘The U.S. Is Doing Russia’s Work’ say ecstatic state TV propagandists
By Julia Davis, CEPA
“Many in the democratic world have been stunned by the rush of the Trump administration to abruptly end the international condemnation and isolation of Russia, welcoming it to the negotiating table in Riyadh and offering up preliminary concessions — while Moscow promised nothing in return.”
—
“They are now ecstatic to see that the new US president is exceeding even their highest expectations. … Russian state TV hasn’t seen as many sneers and smiles in the studio since the Trump-Putin 2018 meeting in Helsinki. Epithets like “unimaginable,” “sensational,” “amazing” and “unbelievable” are flying all over the Russian airwaves. State TV host Evgeny Popov surmised that Trump has taken a buzzsaw to Europe, deciding to do Russia’s job himself.”
—
“Multiple pundits described Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as their favorite spokesman in the Trump administration for promising concessions to Russia even before the negotiations had started. In return, Moscow plans to offer nothing of value.”
https://cepa.org/article/the-us-is-doing-russias-work-say-ecstatic-propagandists/
“Kremlin Tells Russia Media To Play Down Trump Lest He Upstage Putin.” - By Paul Goble, Eurasia Review
“Kremlin Says It ‘Absolutely Agrees’ With U.S. President on Ukraine.” - The Moscow Times
“The meeting in Saudi Arabia is seen by Kremlin acolytes as Putin coming back in from the cold.” - Politico Europe
"Moscow’s media gloats over US-Russia talks.” - Politico Europe
“Russian Media: "We Have Won” - The Cipher Brief video
Zelensky Says the U.S. President has Succumbed to Russian ‘Disinformation’
(The Defense Post)
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said that Donald Trump was living in a Russian “disinformation” bubble, responding to scathing comments by the US president about Zelensky’s popularity rating. The Ukrainian leader also accused Washington of helping end Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s international isolation, and said he wanted security guarantees from Kyiv’s allies that could enable the war to end this year.”
https://thedefensepost.com/2025/02/19/zelensky-trump-russian-disinformation/
Through Negotiations, Putin Hopes to Strangle Ukraine using the U.S. President’s Hands
By Igor Gretskiy, ICDS
“It is clear that the Kremlin—and the majority of the Russian population loyal to it—envisions no end to the war other than the destruction of the Ukrainian state. At the same time, Ukraine has no intention of surrendering its statehood and will continue to fight for it with determination.”
—
“Forcing Ukraine into agreements with Russia under such conditions would be an act of strategic short-sightedness and an open invitation for another round of aggression. Above all, sacrificing Ukraine’s sovereignty for the illusion that a deal with Putin could satisfy and pacify Russia is a grave mistake. History has repeatedly demonstrated that this approach simply does not work.”
—
“Russian elites believe that Europe and the US, after enjoying decades of increasing prosperity, have grown feeble and incapable of standing firm against Russia. In their worldview, peace is merely the continuation of war by other means. They see it as natural for Russia to seize what neighbouring countries and the west are unwilling or unable to defend. As a result, Moscow respects commitments only to stronger powers, while viewing “non-sovereign states” and weaklings as undeserving of such privileges. …”
https://icds.ee/en/through-negotiations-putin-hopes-to-strangle-ukraine-with-trumps-hands/
Ukraine and Europe sit outside as the US and Russia sharpen their carving knives
(The Guardian)
“Ukraine was laid out on the glossy conference table in Riyadh on Tuesday, not to be dissected on this occasion, but rather for an initial inspection by the Americans and Russians, who have reserved the carving knives for future use.”
—
“No Ukrainians were present for these opening discussions on the country’s fate, or for the lunch of whole lamb and “symphony of scallops”, nor was anyone there representing the rest of the European continent. Whether they will be given a seat at the table before lines are drawn is far from clear. For now, they must wonder if they are among the “irritants” in US-Russia relations referred to by the US state department.”
“Kremlin Eyes Grand Bargain.” - The Moscow Times
“USA erisaadik jättis Kiievis vaikimist valides kaikuma Trumpi ähvardused.” - Postimees
“What We Learned From U.S.-Russia Talks In Saudi Arabia.” - RFERL
“Europe’s leaders find no quick response to Trump’s bombshell on Ukraine.” - Politico
“Russia won't accept Nato troops in Ukraine, Lavrov says after talks with US.” - BBC
“A European troop commitment in Ukraine is not the way to end this war—or prevent the next one.” - Foreign Affairs Magazine
“St. Petersburg to Introduce Ethnicity Recognition Software in CCTV Cameras.” - Moscow Times
“France is not ‘preparing to send ground troops to the front’ in Ukraine.” - France24
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment
February 17, 2025
(ISW)
“The Kremlin reiterated its demands that Ukraine cede additional territory in eastern and southern Ukraine to Russia and disband the Ukrainian military in the future while continuing to message that the Kremlin is unwilling to make territorial concessions itself in any future peace negotiations.”
—
“Lavrov and Nebenzya also categorically rejected European involvement in future peace negotiations and accused European countries of being aggressive toward Russia.”
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-17-2025
Kremlin’s Militarization of Russia’s Youngest Has Far-Reaching Consequences
By Paul Goble, Jamestown Org.
“The militarization of Russia’s education system demonstrates that Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to continue an aggressive foreign policy and to ensure that Moscow will follow a similar approach even after he departs. Studies on the effect of Nazism in Germany indicate that values acquired at an early age are likely to remain far longer than is the case with older members of a population, increasing the likelihood that Putin’s values will remain with militarized children for life.”
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