Russian Baltic Policy – Coherent Incoherence
Russian Baltic Policy – Coherent Incoherence

Summary/Abstract: Russia in its policy towards the Baltic States in 1990s employed almost all available tools. It evolved from coercion (economic pressure) through attempts of “engagement and reassurance” (e.g. initiation of Russian security guarantees in 1996-97) to “differentiation” which conditioned development of economic cooperation from resolution of political problems, first of all, status of Russianspeaking minority rights in Latvia and Estonia and respect of Russian interests by Governments of the Balts. Lithuania due to objective conditions was chosen to play a role of a positive pattern of conducting relationships with Russia for other Baltic republics. Alongside with the interdependence on Kaliningrad issue, such vector of Russian Baltic policy provided for stability in bilateral relations independently from the domestic conjuncture in Russia and Lithuania.

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