Publication

This brief reviews the attempts in 2014 and early 2015 by pro-Russian activists and others to promote separatism in certain parts of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The brief’s authors contend that although the efforts appeared to be spontaneous at the time, there are now indications that they might have been intentionally coordinated. That this information might negatively impact minority-majority relations in the three countries goes without saying, particularly in light of Russia's annexation of Crimea. It also explains why the brief concludes with five recommendations on how the Baltic Countries should deal with Russian-inspired attempts to instigate ethnic tensions and foment separatism within their borders.