DISINFO: The Baltic states’ fears of Russia are groundless
SUMMARY
It is hard to explain the Baltic states’ fears of Russia. Their fears are groundless.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin message accusing the Baltic States of irrational attitudes towards Russia.
The reason for the position of the Baltic states toward Russia is the historical experience of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, as well as the behaviour of the modern Russian Federation.
The historical experience is linked to the period of Soviet occupation. The Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which had been independent between the two world wars, were forcibly annexed by the Soviet Union in June of 1940 following Soviet military occupation and the forced installation of “people’s governments”.
The Baltic states are also alert by the Kremlin's aggressive behaviour towards neighbouring countries, namely the illegal annexation of Crimea and destabilisation of East Ukraine.
See other examples of disinformation about the anti-Russian position of the Baltic states (and some other countries): Russophobia is the basic ideology of politicians in the Baltic states; UK, Poland and Baltic states will shoot themselves in the foot just to harm Russia; “Russian threat” is only a pretext to station NATO military contingents near Russian borders.