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EU country summons Russian ambassador over Putin’s remarks — Analysis

Estonia has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statements about the historical allegiance of the city of Narva

Estonia’s Foreign Ministry has accused Moscow of a “revanchist policy” after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comments about the history of the Estonian city of Narva. Vladimir Lipaev is the Russian ambassador summoned by the Baltic State to discuss the subject.

“Undersecretary Rein Tammsaar who met with the ambassador expressed regret over the statement by President Putin, including his comments on the Estonian city of Narva,”The Estonian Ministry issued a statement on Friday, stating that these statements are prohibited. “completely unacceptable”Russia at an era when Russia is “trying to destroy the statehood … of Ukraine,” apparently referring to Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine.

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Tallinn’s ire was drawn by the Russian president’s meeting with young entrepreneurs and inventors earlier this week, where he invoked Russia’s history under its 18th century ruler Peter I, also known as Peter the Great. Peter I was the first Russian Emperor. He waged decades of war against Sweden in a dispute over territories in the Baltics. These included where St. Petersburg is situated.

This war saw Narva (currently an Estonian town on the Russian border) as one of the main targets. This city was an important Russian port for the Baltics in the 16th Century. It was seized by Sweden in about 100 years and became part of the Swedish Kingdom. Peter I was able to take the city back.

Speaking about the Russian emperor’s war efforts, Putin said he “did not seize anything from Sweden”But he took back the Russian lands, and added that Narva was also included.

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The Russians seized the city in 1704. It remained under the Russian Empire up to 1917. Estonia officially gained Estonian citizenship in 1920 through a treaty with Estonia. In 1940, Estonia became part of USSR.

Estonia’s Soviet past is still a source of tension between Tallinn and Moscow since the country’s officials are increasingly attempting to portray their former membership in the Union as “Soviet occupation.”

Russia’s military operation in Ukraine has strained relations between the two nations even further. The Estonian Foreign Ministry stated Friday that “threats of ‘denazification’ and ‘demilitarization’ against other countries are dangerous and irresponsible”Moscow was accused “imperialist ambitions” “falsifying history.”

Moscow has yet to respond to Tallinn’s statements.

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