No. 176: Russia and the Baltics/Poland

This edition examines Russia’s relations with the three Baltic states and Poland. Firstly, Gediminas Vitkus outlines that historically the Baltic states have functioned as either a bridge between the East and the West or a peripheral border outpost. In the post-Crimea context, Vitkus suggests that the Baltic states must face-up to the not very pleasant fate of being border states that have to arm and look for political support to counterbalance imminent threats from Russia. Secondly, Ilvija Bruge notes that usually it is hard to speak about a joint Baltic approach in any policy area, but the Ukraine crisis has set the stage for closer cooperation among the three countries on military matters. Thirdly, Ray Taras outlines that the victory of the Law and Justice Party in October's elections may see Poland forego its classic Russophobic rhetoric and instead join other states disillusioned with the EU’s undemocratic governance in propelling a new European centrifugalism. Fourthly, Yves B. Partschefeld considers the role of the Russophone minority in Estonia in relations between Russia and Estonia, arguing that they should not to be viewed as a mere agent of Moscow in Estonia, but rather as an independent protagonist in a three-cornered relationship.