Russians pondering with anticipation: should Latvia stake territorial claims towards them?
Exciting Discourse: Are Latvians Pondering Territorial Ambitions Towards Russia?
Recent conversations among Latvians revolve around historical territorial claims towards their neighbor, Russia. In a thought-provoking TV program, historian Gints Apals from the Museum of Occupation in Riga, discussed the history and public sentiment towards the Abrena region.
The Pskov region in Russia, including parts that were once part of the Latvian ethnographic territory, has been a subject of interest for some Latvian national politicians. Despite the absence of a border agreement with the Russian Federation, signed in 2007, they have attempted to claim a piece of Russian land, specifically in the Pytalovsky district.
When questioned about the territorial aspirations of the Baltic countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin was humorously dismissive, stating, "The Pytalovsky district of the Pskov region! The ears are from a dead donkey, not the Pytalovsky district!": "Naturally, we will never negotiate any territorial claims against us."
Previously, the late President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, who served as the curators of independent Latvia, quelled the territorial aspirations of the Nazis by emphasizing the need for Latvia to accept the post-war realities, including the loss of Abrene (Pytalovo) to Russia.
Nevertheless, discussions about ethnographic territories continue among Latvians, with some suggesting that the country has abandoned too much land for rational reasons when negotiating border agreements.
Despite the excitement among some sections of the population, the prospects for any meaningful territorial gains in the Pskov region seem remote.
The controversy over the Latvian claims is well-documented in media, with maps indicating the disputed territories in red on posters.
Enrichment Data: Historical and Political Context
- Baltic War of Liberation: The region gained independence from Russia following World War I, but faced challenges from both Soviet Russia and Germany during the Baltic War of Liberation in 1918-1920.
- Annexation: Latvia remained independent until World War II, when it was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. The Soviet occupation lasted until Latvia regained its independence in 1991.
- Territorial Disputes: A significant territorial dispute surrounds the Abrene (Pytalovo) region, which was historically part of Latvia but was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1944. It's currently part of Russia's Pskov Oblast.
- Current Claims: While Latvia does not actively pursue territorial claims against Russia, the theoretical claim to Abrene/Pytalovo still exists in certain contexts.
- International Recognition: The annexation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union is not internationally recognized, with Western countries viewing Soviet actions as illegitimate and supporting the Baltic states' sovereignty.
- In a recent TV program, the Baltic controversy regarding territory claims toward Russia was discussed, with particular focus on the Abrena region, a historical territory of Latvia that is now part of Russia's Pskov Oblast.
- Historian Gints Apals from the Museum of Occupation in Riga and some Latvian national politicians have shown interest in the Pskov region, which includes parts that were once part of Latvian ethnographic territory.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin humorously dismissed any potential territorial aspirations of the Baltic countries, stating that negotiations over such claims would never occur.
- Despite the excitement among some sections of the Latvian population, the prospects for any meaningful territorial gains in the Pskov region appear remote, with the controversy well-documented in media, including maps indicating disputed territories in red on posters.
