The noose is getting tighter. Fourth Reich can count on same satraps who participated in WW2. Few weeks ago Billy's wife said that Russia better face to the facts and surrender, of course she didn't use that word but the implication was there.

These countries “simply do not trust the alliance because they suspect that their allies in case of danger will not wish to put relations with Russia at risk,” Yeah, they're right, in that we won't come to their defence if they stir up trouble or start a conflict like that idiot in Georgia. Many in the Baltic states seemed to be under the impression that once they joined NATO, they could aggravate Russia with impunity - but they are wrong. Interestingly, it is not only the European NATO members that may value relations with Russia more than those of the Baltic states - this is probably also true for the USA.

It took more than 20 years for Soviet Russia to reconcile itself to the fact that Finland slipped free of its grasp and was a sovereign nation. In 1940 Moscow was still trying to crush that country, and re-absorb it. Soviet Russia felt exactly the same way about Baltics, with the difference that in 1940 it not only tried to re-absorb them, but actually succeeded in doing so, until 1991. It seems like post-Soviet Russia also needs at least 20 years to acclimatise to the reality that it has no business in the Baltics. The Baltics’ membership of NATO, and NATO’s clear determination to defend their sovereignty, should help Russia to process such realities. I often think how incredibly short-sighted and self-defeating Moscows ongoing hostility towards the Baltics is. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania would have no interest at all in resting a genuinely friendly Russia. These countries deeply understand both Russia and the West, could serve as excellent advocates of Russia to the West and be a much more profitable transit bridge between the two than is presently the case. A genuinely friendly Russia would need to invest zero military expenditure along its north-western border area (already this is the most secure and peaceable of Russia’s borders), and it would benefit from the undoubted technological expertise that is centred in those countries. But no, imperialist twitches left over from the Soviet era, and a determined refusal to face Russia’s Soviet-era crimes against those neighbours have kept Russia a de-facto enemy to them to the detriment of everyone, especially of Russia itself. I long to see a Russian leader who has the vision to see beyond the fog of persisting Stalinist paranoia, and recognise that there are far better ways to capitalise on the Baltics’ potential than trying to conquer them.

M6 Again you. Listen who is going to crush you? If you miss some decades I have the good news for you. Russia recognized the independence of Baltic states long ago. If you accept hard stance toward Russia and prefer to dwell in victimhood it is your problem not Russian. Several times both Medvedev and Putin said that they condemn the Stalin regime and Stalin deeds but obviously it is not enough for you. Well if you expect Russian leaders to crawl on their knees throughout Europe putting ashes on their heads I think you are going to wait very long time. Would not it be better to spend this time in a bit more constructive way? But by all means please continue. It is a pleasure to read your diatribes.

There seems to be a confusing signal. On one hand, NATO is said to want to cooperate with Russia; on the other, NATO’s new strategy worries Russia. With the current rather frigid US-Russia relationship, Moscow seems to be cautious, and rightly so. The growing NATO’s intention of spreading its forceful tentacles globally does not bode pretty for international peace. But who has the final say? (vzc43)

Vse.berlin says Russia recognized Estonian independence long ago. On 20 February 1920 to be precise, when, in the Tartu Peace Treaty it promised to “recognise the independence of Estonia and give up forever every sovereign right Russia has ever had on the Estonian land and people.” “Forever” lasted less than four years, as in December 1924 it mounted a covert invasion of the country by sending a military unit to capture Parliament, kill its leaders and facilitate a coup to would turn the country back over to Moscow. The plan failed, though caused loss of life. Thereafter “forever” lasted just a further 16 years, at which time Moscow successfully invaded the country and occupied it. The occupation lasted until August 1991, and Russia still does not acknowledge it as an occupation but repeats Stalin’s lie that Estonia and its Baltic neighbours willingly committed synchronised national suicide and freely and legally joined the SU. Russia recognised the re-independence of Estonia in 1991, but refused to withdraw its military. It took major US pressure to finally get it out 3 years later. But Russian military planes kept on violating Estonian air space on an almost weekly basis, even after Estonia became a member of NATO, and stopped only after NATO jets began regular patrols of the Baltic air space. Meanwhile, Russia tries to dictate what monuments Estonia can and cannot have in its capital, severely restricts trade with Estonia by forcing trucks travelling into literally a week-long wait at Estonian border crossings, and tries its best to discourage ordinary Russians from visiting Estonia by holding their cars up for days on the Russian side of the border. And running many, many other similar expressions of warm friendship. No one expects Russia to “crawl on its knees.” It would just be nice if it sometimes left its Neanderthal mallet at home. Russia is judged by its actions, not its words, and the judgment is not flattering to Russia.

M6 So it means you do not trust your allies and do not believe that they will spill their blood for you, right? Hmm, certainly you should have the reasons. Let’s see In first millennium A.D. Russian came to this area and founded your capital. Later on Estonians betrayed them and happily serve Dutch, later on happily betrayed Dutch and served Sweden, later on happily betrayed Sweden and served Germans, later on Russians returned and you happily served Russians. Later on Germans negotiated your independence from Russia, you happily betrayed them. Russians White army fought for your independence, you happily sold them to Bolsheviks, UK supported your independence you happily betrayed them by openly siding with Hitler. Later on Russia gave you independence, you started badmouthing and petty discrimination If we look at the history from this prospective, certainly you are right not trusting your allies.