Politics & Society

I am once again asking for your help in support of Ukrainian refugee students at the University of Tartu. Their situation continues to be difficult. Any and all assistance would be greatly appreciated by the University.  Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine continues. Ukrainians who fled their homeland continue to...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to  Estonia, which had been postponed several times, finally took place last week. It was the largest police operation in the history of Estonia, with more than 1,000 people ensuring Zelensky's security from his arrival from Lithuania on the evening of January 11  until he...

There will be much focus on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2024. One highlight will be the 75th-anniversary summit, to be held in Washington, DC from July 9-11. This follows in the footsteps of the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. For the Baltic countries, this meant increased...

The Estonian Foreign Ministry’s virtual forum for Estonians across the world is now available for viewing in three languages. The virtual forum for Estonians across the globe was held for the sixth time. Take some time out to watch the two­hour “television program” with exciting speakers and topics tai- lor­made...

In these challenging times, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine spanning over 1.5 years, the repercussions have reverberated across  Europe, particularly affecting the Baltic States,  Finland, and the United States. By now we have accepted that this war will go on probably for a long  time. The economy is shaken...

The Estonian American National Council (EANC) met with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna last Friday, November 3, to voice Estonian American concerns over the planned closures of the Estonian Consulates General in both New York and San Francisco. During the face-to-face virtual meeting, EANC raised key points such as the...

While the Estonian foreign ministry is planning to close its consulate general in San Francisco and the historic, monumentally important consulate general in New York City under the pretext of cost-cutting, the ministry is actually spending USD 30,000 a month on the residence of the Estonian ambassador to the United...

Renee Meriste, President of the Estonian Society of Los Angeles The strongest guarantee of freedom and a free country lies in the unwavering commitment of its population to uphold and protect the fundamental principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. To safeguard this freedom, it is imperative...

Jaak Treiman, the Honoray Consul in LA The Foreign Ministry’s decision to close the New York and San Francisco consulates has generated explanations and commentary. I want to add my commentary to the mix, offering what is perhaps a different perspective. My connection to Estonia’s foreign ministry predates the reacquisition...

This decision shows a lack of respect for the historic importance and symbolism of the New York City consulate to Estonians abroad and in the USA. The existence of the New York consulate symbolized legitimacy and continuity of the Republic of Estonia during the Soviet occupation and beyond. National security...