The people in between Russia and the West are not neutral pawns. There are countless poll in all of the countries, and everywhere the people want more to get away from Russian influence. They know the agitation, assassinations, constant military threats, constant propaganda.
Russia has always been the greater threat to them.
In Estonia, Russia shipped in busloads of hooligans to wreak havoc (kind of like anti-fa but more violent) when they moved a Soviet statue.
In Latvia, Russia tried to leverage a small racial group - the Latgales - to create a separatist movement. Very similar to how they did in Georgia and E Ukraine.
So why dont you forget then the fact that both Estonia and Latvia right after secession basically nullified all rights for people that were already 3 generations born into the country, their ancestors moved their mostly against their will (by респределение) and provided no easy way for them to be naturalized (except tossing aside their national identity at all)?Come on, they are not as fluffy and kind as you paint them.
Thay actively WANTED and SEEKED to antagonize Russia and their Russian part of population.
No it wasn't.
The people in between Russia and the West are not neutral pawns. There are countless poll in all of the countries, and everywhere the people want more to get away from Russian influence. They know the agitation, assassinations, constant military threats, constant propaganda.
Russia has always been the greater threat to them.
In Estonia, Russia shipped in busloads of hooligans to wreak havoc (kind of like anti-fa but more violent) when they moved a Soviet statue.
In Latvia, Russia tried to leverage a small racial group - the Latgales - to create a separatist movement. Very similar to how they did in Georgia and E Ukraine.
So why dont you forget then the fact that both Estonia and Latvia right after secession basically nullified all rights for people that were already 3 generations born into the country, their ancestors moved their mostly against their will (by респределение) and provided no easy way for them to be naturalized (except tossing aside their national identity at all)?Come on, they are not as fluffy and kind as you paint them. Thay actively WANTED and SEEKED to antagonize Russia and their Russian part of population.