5:59 v originále: We aren't Russophobic, we just know them, says expert

The Baltic states are cautiously watching developments in Ukraine and efforts of Russia to bolster its influence in Eastern Europe. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia –⁠ all members of NATO –⁠ are bound with Moscow by a painful Soviet history. Roughly six million citizens are disturbed by an alarming question –⁠ whether their countries could be the next target of Vladimir Putin's regime.

Is the threat to the Baltics real? What is the region's strategy in dealing with Moscow? And how much of a security boost can bring NATO's fortified presence in the Baltics?

Karlis Bukovskis is a researcher and the Acting Director of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs. He also teaches International Political Economy and European Union issues at Riga Stradins University. Among other things, he was involved in the preparation of the Latvian Presidency of the European Union.

In the interview he warns before the extensibility of Russia. „We have been accused of being Russophobic because of our repeated warnings against Russia, it is not a phobia though, it is just a concern,“ he said.

He claims that the Baltic nations are open to have a friendly relationship with the Russian federation. The goal of the Baltic nations is to be a reliable partner for the Western countries, he adds.

Listen to the whole interview via the audioplayer you can find at the beginning of the article.

The interview with Karlis Bukovskis is a part of the first episode of the 5:59 podcast. The Czech version of the interview is to be found in an article called Pobaltí v kleštích: Třicet let ostražitosti před Ruskem. (Český překlad rozhovoru najdete v článku Pobaltí v kleštích: Třicet let ostražitosti před Ruskem.)