Russia and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are locked in a diplomatic row over festivities to mark the end of World War II.
The Kremlin has invited the presidents of the three states to Moscow on May 9 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. It has also invited world leaders including German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who would be the first German leader to attend such an anniversary in Moscow.
However, the Baltic leaders are coming under intense public pressure not to attend an event that also marks the start of the region's forced subjugation to Moscow.
The Red Army occupied the three countries during the second world war after fierce fighting with nationalists. In 1941, Nazi Germany invaded and thousands of volunteers from the Baltic states joined German units in an attempt to fend off the Soviet advance.
The era remains deeply sensitive for the three countries, not least because many residents collaborated in the Nazi massacres of Jews.
Moscow argues that its occupation liberated the Baltics from Nazi tyranny.
The Baltic countries did not break free from Moscow's embrace until the break-up of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
For many in the three states, which have all joined the EU and NATO, the thought of their leaders bowing and scraping in the Kremlin is too much to bear. Wary of a domestic backlash, the presidents of Latvia and Estonia are considering a boycott of the celebrations.
Estonian President Arnold Ruutel consulted members of parliament last week and said his decision must "preserve Baltic unity." He said he might send Prime Minister Juhan Part, in his place in what would be seen as a snub to Moscow.
Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus has said he will not answer Moscow's invitation until it is "strategically convenient" for the country.
A poll in Lithuania last week showed 34 percent of people thought he should refuse the visit. Opposition politicians are campaigning against the trip.
President Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia has agreed to travel but infuriated Moscow with the prediction that, "on May 9, Russian people will place a Caspian roach on a newspaper, drink vodka, sing folk songs, and recall how they heroically conquered the Baltics."
In Germany, opposition politicians have suggested it would be better for Schroder to avoid a parade by the Red Army, which, they say, brought about the division of Germany.
Tatyana Zhdanok, member of the European Parliament from Latvia's Russian-speaking community, said the president had no desire to attend the Moscow events but had capitulated under EU pressure.
"It would be better for her to stay at home if she does not want honestly to join the celebrations," Zhdanok said. "She will only use the anniversary as a platform to claim the Red Army occupied Latvia rather than liberating it."
In an attempt to sweeten the May 9 visit, Russia is offering to finalize border agreements and sign a declaration on shared objectives with the Baltic leaders the next day.
But President Vladimir Putin warned: "We are extending a hand of friendship. Whether it will be taken, shaken or not does not depend on us."
A ship that appears to be taking on the identity of a scrapped gas carrier exited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, showing how strategies to get through the waterway are evolving as the Middle East war progresses. The vessel identifying as liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Jamal left the Strait on Friday morning, ship-tracking data show. However, the same tanker was also recorded as having beached at an Indian demolition yard in October last year, where it is being broken up, according to market participants and port agent’s reports. The ship claiming to be Jamal is likely a zombie vessel that
Japan is to downgrade its description of ties with China from “one of its most important” in an annual diplomatic report, according to a draft reviewed by Reuters, as relations with Beijing worsen. This year’s Diplomatic Bluebook, which Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government is expected to approve next month, would instead describe China as an important neighbor and the relationship as “strategic” and “mutually beneficial.” The draft cites a series of confrontations with Beijing over the past year, including export controls on rare earths, radar lock-ons targeting Japanese military aircraft and increased pressure around Taiwan. The shift in tone underscores a deterioration
LAW CONSTRAINTS: The US has been pressing allies to send warships to open the Strait, but Tokyo’s military actions are limited under its postwar pacifist constitution Japan could consider deploying its military for minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz if a ceasefire is reached in the war on Iran, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi said yesterday. “If there were to be a complete ceasefire, hypothetically speaking, then things like minesweeping could come up,” Motegi said. “This is purely hypothetical, but if a ceasefire were established and naval mines were creating an obstacle, then I think that would be something to consider.” Japan’s military actions are limited under its postwar pacifist constitution, but 2015 security legislation allows Tokyo to use its Self-Defense Forces overseas if an attack,
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) yesterday faced a regional election battle in Rhineland-Palatinate, now held by the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD). Merz’s CDU has enjoyed a narrow poll lead over the SPD — their coalition partners at the national level — who have ruled the mid-sized state for 35 years. Polling third is the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which spells a greater threat to the two centrist parties in several state elections in September in the country’s ex-communist east. The picturesque state of Rhineland-Palatinate, bordering France, Belgium and Luxembourg and with a population of about 4 million,
RSS