‘Campaigning to join Russia’: Eastern Latvia activists

[KawaiiKawaii]

Before Soviet rule, there weren't even any Russians there...

It's not exactly true. The bordering territories were a subject of contest for centuries with drastic population changes. Genocide and repopulation was a common occurence when a new power would take over the territory. Most infamous for that were Teuton knights, they depopulated vast spaces from Balts and Slavs to create room for Germanics. Things settled down for most part by the time Communists came to power and Russians were making up some significant numbers in these areas already.



I don't think it's for you or me to decide unless we have firsthand living experience in both countries.

Maybe give back the Baltic states to Germany? They have always been ruled by them anyway. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, welcome to Deutschland again

Well, the living standards in Latvia seem to be higher than in Russia, if we use HDI, so they have it better.

[glass]

Before Soviet rule, there weren't even any Russians there... So I don't get it. Plus they have it better in Latvia than in Russia.

wrong, so called eastern Latvia always had slavic (russian/belarussian) population, event local balts are orthodox christians

[Incal]

Hopefully the situation goes over a little more smoothly than it did in the Ukraine. Think separation could be avoided by granting more rights to the Russian minority (making Russian the second language) or do you think it's too late for that now? It'd be wise of the Latvians, perhaps, to try to appease the minority Russians before Russia decides to support them.

Better send them back to Russia.

[Rugevit]

Maybe give back the Baltic states to Germany? They have always been ruled by them anyway. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, welcome to Deutschland again.

Lithuania was never under German rule. Most of present day territories of Lithuania were in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania state. Eastern Latvia (the territory that is discussed by the newspaper) known as Latgale was in Gerzika principality, which was under rule of Polotsk principality between XI-XIII. Polotsk principality was on territories of present day Belarus.

After Livonian war in 1561 Latgale joined Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It joined the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuanian & Belarusian territories) to be more precise. After separation of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Latgale joined Vitebsk Governate of the Russian empire. Vitebsk Governate was on the territories of northern Belarus and eastern Latvia. It remained in Vitebsk governate till 1918.

Latgale was a multi-ethnic region of Latvia having Latgalians, Belarusians, Polish, Jews and Russian Old believers. Latgalians were subjected to cultural assimilation throughout history. It's incredible how a small group of Latgalians managed to keep their language and culture. Many Russians moved in eastern Latvia after WWII, when Latvia became part of USSR.

Latgale is part of Latvia today and it should remain part of Latvia. Not Russiaa or Germany. I don't believe Russia wants to annexe it. Latgale does not have sea ports or natural resources. Motives of a small group of people is exaggerated in media, as we see in the case of UNIAN newspaper.

[Sarmatian]

Better send them back to Russia.

Your suggestion is incorrect as it implies they originally came from Russia which is wrong. At least some of Russians were living there for centuries since this land was part of Russian Empire.

[Raven_]

Remember that Latvia is the country with a highest % of Russian-speaking people from the Baltic States (compared to total population). Not so long ago they tried to make Russian a co-official language in the country.

This year's elections also showed the cohesive political behaviour of the Russian electorate, when they managed to give the most seats in the Riga Parliament to a pro-Russian party.

It still remains in opposition because traditionally coalition of the majority does not include Russian party. That Russian party receieved +5% more votes in the last elections, but they didn't made it into coalition anyway.

[barbatus]

It still remains in opposition because traditionally coalition of the majority does not include Russian party. That Russian party receieved +5% more votes in the last elections, but they didn't made it into coalition anyway.

So what do you suspect is going to happen?

[Raven_]

So what do you suspect is going to happen?

I doubt it will escalate.

Hopefully the situation goes over a little more smoothly than it did in the Ukraine. Think separation could be avoided by granting more rights to the Russian minority (making Russian the second language) or do you think it's too late for that now? It'd be wise of the Latvians, perhaps, to try to appease the minority Russians before Russia decides to support them.

Russian will never be made a second official language as long as Latvians make up the majority of all citizens.


Making Russian an official language would not make Russians more pro-Latvian. It would most likely end in more demands and increased segragation.

Just because someone is distributing leaflefts agitating to join Russia, does not mean something big will bgrow out of this. It's not a secret there are quite a few Russians who hold these views in private, but they're not taking any actions precisely because they'd be sentenced to jail. Besides, not everyone wants to sacrifice his health or life for something with highly dubious results.
Processes in Crimea and East Ukraine were largely excetuted by forces from Russia which would be impossible to repeat in Baltic States.

[Dombra]

Russians have cried about Nazis in the Baltics before so they will probably be doing it even more if this becomes bigger

I saw this coming. Not Latvia specifically but I was wondering which ex-Soviet state would be next. I would have guessed Belarus.

Belarus is a Russian lapdog so there is currently no need to annex them

[glass]

Maybe give back the Baltic states to Germany? They have always been ruled by them anyway. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, welcome to Deutschland again

agree, those guys can not run state, they are like monkeys with grenade. Germans should be able to sort things there. Question is why would germans want them

Russians have cried about Nazis in the Baltics before so they will probably be doing it even more if this becomes bigger

russians never cry
russians just point at some facts