Baltics not neglected in security anxiety

Photo: SCANPIX

As assured in Tallinn yesterday by German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Baltic States will not be left on their own in light of events in Crimea.

«This is a shared problem for NATO and the European Union,» said Mr Steinmeier, repeating the same in Riga, in the afternoon. As assured in both capitals by foreign minister of Germany, formerly opposed to excessive sanctions: should Russian not alter her tactics by weekend, EU foreign ministers will decide regarding application of additional measures as they meet in Brussels, on Monday.

«We don’t desire a confrontation, but regrettably Russia’s actions force us to prepare for this,» said Mr Steinmeier. «The situation in Ukraine is the result of geopolitical strategy of Russia,» he recalled in Riga, explaining that the only logical solution to perhaps ease tensions he sees formation of an international contact group participated by representatives of Russia, USA and some EU members state.

At the press conference in Tallinn, Mr Steinmeier said that the claims regarding German subdued reaction to current crisis resulting from their excessive dependence on Russian energy are untrue. Germany does have other energy sources and sees to it that the fuel arriving from Russia will not become too dominating.

Estonian foreign minister Urmas Paet underlined that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has altered the security situation of all Europe; and that the Russian federation council decision to allow President Vladimir Putin to use Russian army on the territory of another state is not acceptable.

According to Mr Paet, Russia’s «defence of compatriot rights» does concern almost all European countries. «Lately, Russian communities have increased everywhere, the Baltic situation isn’t unique,» said Mr Paet. He stressed that the Baltics belong to EU and NATO, thus substantially differing from Ukraine.

At the press conference, German journalists inquired from Mr Paet regarding his leaked phone call with High Representative of EU Catherine Ashton, where the minister said that the snipers shooting at the Kiev demonstrations may also have worked for some person connected to Ukraine’s new government.

Mr Paet claimed he did not present definite facts, rather mediating what he had been told during the troubled days in Ukraine. Even so, he said he considered it very important for Maidan events to undergo thorough investigation, to avoid anybody being discredited for no reason.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Estonia the night before yesterday, to discuss issues related to the Ukrainian crisis with Urmas Paet. According to Mr Paet, the meeting came about at German initiative.

After meetings with the Estonian foreign minister and President Toomas Henrik Ilves, Mr Steinmeier headed for Latvia and then Lithuania. In both countries, he was expected to meet heads of state, with whom he was to discuss the situation in Ukraine, and its implications for the Baltics.