Russia will not be able to continue its usual policies in Europe, sharing this continent on the spheres of influence. This was stated by the President of Estonia Cheresti Calulide in an interview with Estonian television at the end of the year.
"The time that Russia is able to influence international agreements in such a way that in Europe is not international law, but the policies of the interests of interest," she said.
According to Calulide, the desire to share the continent on the spheres of influence, Russia has demonstrated in 2007 at the Munich security conference, after which "twice attacked their neighboring states." "Such a country is not a trustworthy partner for others," the president said.
However, resources to continue such policies are exhausted, she is sure. "In the case of Russia, it is interesting that there is a lot of spending on the conventional weapons, the modernization of the army, and quite a little - on education, medicine, and the like, says Calulide. - Russian economy is experiencing not better times. Demographic indicators are unfavorable. It is unlikely that in the long run, Russia will continue to be able and will try to establish the policy of influence in everything. "
End of the "Regional Power"
Earlier, Estonian President declared that Russia's time as a regional power takes place towards an end, and this is its main danger.
"Russia is looking for intelligent ways to disrupt our unity, based on our common values, trying to move someone to its side at least economic considerations to strengthen the cracks in our ranks," she said. "All this Russia does, knowing that its window features closes, and now the question is exactly what will be ready to go to use this opportunity until it finally disappeared. But perhaps it is already completely disappeared. "
"This is the danger that we are constantly trying to clarify our Western allies," added Calulide. "This is the reason why Russia is just now dangerous - thanks to the fact that she herself sees how its window is closed."
Estonian President is waiting for Putin to visit
Despite such categorical estimates, Cheresti Calulide hopes that Vladimir Putin will come to Estonia in 2021 and take part in the work of the World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples in Tartu on June 16-18, 2021.
"I think that this probability [with Putin in Tartu] is quite high," she believes. - I believe that neighboring countries should communicate with each other, even if they hold different opinions. Among themselves we talked about it. And I still hope that this time the head of Russia will take part in the Congress of Finno-Ugric peoples. "
Kaliulaid invited Putin to visit the Congress of Finno-Ugric peoples in the spring of 2019, when he made a sudden visit to Moscow and met with the Russian president. Congress was scheduled for June 2020, but due to coronavirus moved to June 16-18, 2021. In addition to Putin, the presidents of Hungary and Finland are also invited to the event.