The situation in Ukraine highlights the need for Estonia and Latvia to promote greater integration among their ethnic Russian populations

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Series Details 06.03.14
Publication Date 06/03/2014
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One of the key factors in the Ukraine crisis has been the role of the sizeable ethnic Russian population in the country. David Smith writes on the implications the crisis might have for two other countries with significant Russian populations: Estonia and Latvia.

He notes that while citizenship policies in both countries have been unpopular among ethnic Russian communities, the focus has largely been on increasing the rights of Russian speakers rather than questioning the existence of the Estonian or Latvian state. Nevertheless, he argues that nationalist forces on both sides of the debate may seek to exploit the situation in Ukraine in pursuit of their respective agendas.

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Related Links
ESO: Background information: Diplomatic efforts continue in earnest to end Crimea crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/diplomatic-efforts-continue-in-earnest-to-end-crimea-crisis/
Wikipedia: Russians in Latvia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russians_in_Latvia
Wikipedia: Russians in the Baltic states http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russians_in_the_Baltic_states
Wikipedia: Russians in Estonia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Russians_in_Estonia
The Guardian, 04.03.14: Ukraine crisis: the west must not prevaricate over imposing sanctions on Russia http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/04/ukraine-crisis-west-not-prevaricate-financial-sanctions-russia
BBC News, 26.03.14: Crimea crisis sharpens Latvia ethnic tensions http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26720549
Euro|Topics: Who's saying what: Russia inspires fear among its neighbours http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/debatten/linkliste-2014-03-angstvorrussland/
Spiegel Online International, 07.04.14: Estonian Minister: 'No Party Here Would Call for Secession' http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/minister-with-russian-ethnicity-says-estonians-still-united-a-963003.html
Deutsche Welle, 01.05.14: Russian Latvians: target of discrimination? http://dw.de/p/1Bs6l
Deutsche Welle, 21.05.14: Latvia calls for permanent NATO military bases http://dw.de/p/1C42W

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