Relations between the Baltic states and Russia remind me of a divorce case. And in this particular divorce, it’s obvious that a lot of time must pass before normal relations between the estranged spouses emerge. And it’s been so long since the initial separation, it begs the question if it is possible at all?

In my opinion, normalization of relations is held back by opposing views on their relationship’s history and both sides blaming each other for the present conflict. Russia, who has recognized their independence, membership in European Union and even in NATO, is ready and asks to forget the past and not to dig in, as well as not to provoke Russia to state the Kremlin’s non-recognition of the occupation. But the Baltic states demand an apology for the occupation. Either party would feel itself amazed if the neighbor conceded. And pride of both the Baltic States and Russia propagates the hostile policies between these countries.

The question of whether the Baltic states were occupied or not is a question of a good will, not history. It is advisable for Russia to say only five simple words — “sorry for occupying Baltic states” — which are necessary to Baltic heart. After such an act, Russia would find absolutely other image of itself both in the world and in its own eyes by meeting the small countries as equals without seeing special harm for itself. However, the Baltic political leadership has done anything but encourage the Russians to do so. Judging by their actions, present and past leaders of the Baltics do not possess sufficient knowledge of diplomatic psychology — it is sphere of compromises, smiles of courtesy, and reciprocal concessions. It is necessary to speak humanely with Russia.

Meanwhile the Baltic states are characterized as Russophobic. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus refused to participate in a celebration in honor of the 9th of May in Moscow in 2005. Latvia’s President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga was ready to stretch to Moscow “a friendship hand” but the Russians found this hand contained a stone of old insults and claims. Besides, Latvians acquitted fascism and are providing for criminal punishment for denial of the Russian occupation. Estonians have brought the contribution to the conflict with Russia, too and expressed contempt for the Red Army by moving the monument to Soviet soldiers and pulling bodies from the graves in April 2007. It is remarkable that on Sept. 26, 2009 the city of Narva announced its intentions to install a monument to Peter I. Despite that in Narva there are many Russian-speaking inhabitants, new passions started to boil in Estonia, and the old Russian czar is being charged of murders and other evils.

Russians do not know what to expect from the Balts, who are trying only to reject everything that is sacred to Russians. Baltic countries banned Soviet symbols, equating them with Nazi ones, bewildering Russia. According to representatives of Russia’s Communist Party, this act “does not fit, not only to the norms of human morality, but a pan-European understanding of human rights.” Indeed the Soviet insignia is still used by communist parties throughout the continent. The Baltic states are so angry at their old spouse, they lash out without really thinking about the consequences.

In return the Baltic states receive a steady stream of bad press from Russia. References to the Baltic states in Russia’s media can be found mainly in connection with the scandals. Recent developments in the government of Lithuania greatly pleased Russian journalists, who are dreaming of slinging mud at their officials, but must be satisfied with developments in neighboring countries. Speaker of the Seimas Arūnas Valinskas was effectively removed from his post, and the whole procedure was presented in a hot, scandalous and obscene nature here. Russian journalists are happy to write that everything is awful in the Baltic states. It turns out that the majority of Russia’s population, sincerely believing in the mass media, imagine that everything is hopeless and the government is headed by some clowns and the mafia, and nobody in the country is engaging in public affairs because the rival politicians are busy digging some dirt up on each other.

That’s not to say there’s no legitimate reason for Russians think the Baltic states are a mess. Valinskas’ vote of no confidence is not the first case of a high-level official losing his post to scandal — the impeachment of Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas was only five years ago. In both Lithuania and Russia there is no such respect and love for the government. But given that Russian media shows only bright sides of the officials, their sins are left behind the scenes. Here the media is controlled by the authorities in spite of the freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

In 2007 Russian press conducted a survey asking “Which countries do you consider enemies of the state, and which are most favorable towards Russia?” The first “enemy” place was occupied by Estonia with 60 percent of Russians voting for it. Latvia came in third at 36 percent and while 32 percent considered Lithuania an enemy. This statistic readily shows the Russian attitude toward the Baltic states.

Russia operates on the principle that the one who is bigger and stronger is right. Might is right. The country is powerful and can afford to manipulate other countries by establishing the prices for gas for all Europe, or temporarily stopping delivery of gas for especially states it wants to punish.

This was bitterly tasted by Lithuania. After it has refused to sell the oil-processing company Mažeikių Nafta to Russia, it was found out that the gas pipeline Druzhba (which translates to “friendship” in English) needed to be closed urgently on repair and the delivery of the Russian gas to territory of Lithuania was stopped. Thus the “friendship” came to an end.

What is more, the blind pride and patriotism of Russian nation has a strong influence on its tactless behavior to other countries. I will never forget the case when I was taking an economics exam in Moscow, and the professor asked me, “Where are you from, darling?

“Lithuania,” I answered.

“Ah, so it is you dethroning our monuments!” she said.

“It occurred in Estonia, madame,” I replied.

“Ah, what’s the difference? All of you are the same! You get four, sit down,” she said.

It is a pity, I was ready to get the best mark and I knew the subject perfectly…

The question arises — why Russians, who are so much proud of their homeland’s past, do not realize that the former countries of U.S.S.R. have the same right to defend their positions?

Yet I believe it’s not worth condemning Russia, who sincerely believes that it has helped the Baltic states by rescuing them from fascism. In addition, it is significant to note that the West, from Finland to the U.S. have already begun to improve relations with Russia, therefore capricious behavior of the Baltic spoils its image in the eyes of its partners.

The Baltic countries should not surrender any of the values of democracy, nor of their active policy toward the East. In any case, Aug. 18, 2009 Lithuanian President Dalia Grubauskaitė telephoned Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and this call became the first official contact between the two leaders of these countries since 2001. Finally, the prospects of mutual cooperation of both countries are being worked out, and it helps solve such problems as kilometer-long queues of semi-trailer trucks belonging to Lithuanian manufacturers of dairy products on the Latvian-Russian border.

From my point of view, it would be reasonable for other Baltic countries to follow the example of Lithuania. After all, it is better to be friends with the neighbors.

Julija Kiško is a Lithuanian journalist currently living and working in Moscow.

Disclaimer:

Views expressed in the opinion section are never those of the Baltic Reports company or the website’s editorial team as a whole, but merely those of the individual writer.