Russian-Estonian Relations After 2007: Current Status and Development Prospects

Authors

  • Agata Włodarska Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2478/v10223-011-0005-1

Keywords:

Russian–Estonian relations, Bronze Soldier Night, cyber attacks in Estonia, The Estonian State Integration Programme, Russians in Estonia

Abstract

The article highlights the major points that have influenced relations between Russia and Estonia after 2007. These relations were rather poor during the post- Soviet period. The number of Russian people who lived in Estonia after gaining independence in 1991 exceeded 30%, which resulted in the very keen interest of Russia In Estonian politics. April 2007 created a new reality for relations between the countries. The decision to move the statues of Second World War Soviet soldiers from main squares to cemeteries provoked negative reactions from Russians living in Estonia, but also infuriated leaders of the Russian government. As a consequence there were harsh verbal attacks from Moscow, the Estonian ambassador to Moscow was harassed, cyberspace attacks took place and traffic over the bridge in Narva, which is a key highway from Russia, was blocked. The Estonian authorities know there is no point in maintaining conflict with Russia. The President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, has stressed that Estonia’s relationship with its biggest neighbour, Russia, can only get better. Russia play an incredibly important role in the Estonian economy and tourist industry, according to Andrus Ansip, the Prime Minister of Estonia.

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Author Biography

Agata Włodarska, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz

Włodarska Agata, M.A., Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Łódź. She graduated in 2007 as a Master of Arts in political science and in 2010 in English philology. Her research interests include the issues of Russian minorities in the Baltic States, especially in Estonia. She studied at the University of Joensuu (Finland) in 2005; in 2010 she was a visiting lecturer at the University of Tallinn (Estonia) and at Tuła State University (Russia).

 

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Published

2011-11-23

How to Cite

Włodarska, A. (2011). Russian-Estonian Relations After 2007: Current Status and Development Prospects. International Studies. Interdisciplinary Political and Cultural Journal, 13(1), 49–57. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10223-011-0005-1

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