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Электронное приложение к журналу «Международная жизнь»
Author : A. Skachkov
Head of Section, Second European Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation,
Candidate of Science (Political Science)
IN VARIOUS PERIODS in the past, states and territories
of the Baltic region made successful economic and cultural
use of the advantage of being located between Russia and
Northern Europe.
After being incorporated into the Soviet Union, the Baltic
republics for objective reasons had no chance of direct con-
tact with the outside world. But due to their historical tradi-
tions and sizable investments into their economies and
infrastructures, they remained an informal intercivilizational
bridge because the Soviet authorities presented them to for-
eign visitors as illustrations of the Soviet way of life.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, that interdependence, which had taken centuries to evolve,
was practically ruined by nationalist elitesthat had come to power in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia
and made it one of their objectives to sever their countries' historical, economic and cultural ties
with Russia.
Unfortunately, the governments of the Baltic states failed to use a historic chance offered to
them by the new, democratic era in Russia. Post-Soviet Russia sought no confrontation with
those countries.
Estonia, which, like Latvia, has been ruled by right-wing nationalist parties ever since it regained
its independence, has its own pragmatic politicians, and former prime minister Tiit Vahi and
Center Party leader Edgar Savisaar stand out among them. As in Latvia, Centrists haven't been
let into any power echelon higher than the municipal authorities of the capital city.
According to the latest assessments by the European Commission, the dairy industries of Latvia,
Lithuania and Estonia are on the brink of collapse. Latvian Agriculture Minister Janis Duklavs
has warned that if Brussels does not support his country, its farmers will begin to slaughter their
livestock and close down their farms.
The door into government remains closed to Center Party pragmatists in Estonia too. In Lithua-
nia, a coalition government formed by Social Democrats and their allies has been unable to build
pragmatic relations with Russia, a policy that they advocate but that runs against the presidential
line.
To sum up, anti-Russian sentiments have become much more pronounced in the Baltic states in
recent years. Russia and periods of coexistence with it within the same state are vilified by politi-
cians and media all the way through. The seeds of mistrust and hatred sown in the independence
years bore bitter fruit. Politics and governance have been increasingly influenced by young people
who are unfriendly toward Russia, such as Gabrielius Landsbergis, grandson of the notorious
Lithuanian politician Vytautas Landsbergis, or radicals from the All forRiga - marches of former
Waffen SS legionaries.
Why There Is No "Baltic Bridge" Between Russia and the EU