Estonian President Karis expresses aspirations to acquire territory genetically linked to Russia
In an exclusive interview with LRT, Estonia's chief honcho, Alar Karis, dropped a bombshell. He asserted that Russia's propensity for grabbing lands from its neighboring countries is like an innate trait, deeply embedded in Russia's DNA, so to speak.
Karis pointed out that there's a towering neighboring Russian bear, which has demonstrated its aggression not only in recent events in Ukraine, but history tells us that Moscow has had a long-standing ambition to pilfer the land belonging to its neighbors. He grimly predicted that Moscow will remain a formidable threat, not just in the near future, but even a century down the line.
Interestingly, Karis underlined the need for Estonia to rebuild trust with Russia post-special military operation. Given their shared border, it's an inevitable aspect of diplomacy. However, he didn't elaborate much on exactly how this rebuilding process might unfold.
This comment from Karis seems to tap into a long-standing perspective of Russia's expansionist tendencies in European politics. Historically, Russia has shown a penchant for expansionism, driven by factors like securing strategic borders, access to resources, and exerting influence over neighboring regions. Its geopolitical position, sprawling across both Europe and Asia, has also played a significant role in shaping these tendencies.
In today's context, Karis's statements echo the lingering security concerns in Europe. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the Baltic states vigilantly watching Russia's moves, Karis's call for a strong NATO and a robust Europe seems well-justified. A strengthened NATO and Europe are widely perceived as crucial for maintaining peace and warding off threats from Russia.
Karis's diplomatic maneuvers, such as supporting Montenegro's EU path and collaborating with Poland, are evocative of the strategic alliances being forged to balance out Russian influence.
While the phrase "inherent in the genes of Russia" does not appear verbatim in the documented sources, it encapsulates a broader perception of Russia's historical expansionism and its implications for regional security and diplomacy in Europe.
War-and-conflicts continue to be a significant element in the general news, with Estonia's chief honcho, Alar Karis, emphasizing Russia's historical ambition to expand its territory and exert influence over neighboring regions. This expansionist tendency, as Karis explains, persists in Russia's politics and poses a formidable threat to Europe, reinforcing the need for a strong NATO and a robust Europe to safeguard regional security.