Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland Visit Kyiv
President Alar Karis was in Kyiv on April 13 along with the Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish heads of state to show their support for Ukraine and to meet with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. Speaking at the joint press conference, Karis said: “President Putin decided to start the war. The way to peace now is only possible via progress in the battlefield.” “Estonia has already provided military assistance to Ukraine to the tune of one third of our annual defense budget,” he said. (Pg 1)
Finland and Sweden Discussing NATO Membership
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has pushed Finland and Sweden to the verge of applying for NATO membership and abandoning a belief held for decades that peace was best kept by not publicly choosing sides. The Finnish government is inclined to support joining NATO, according to a government security report published on April 13. Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia and will decide joining NATO in the next few weeks, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former Russian president from 2008 to 2012, replied by stating that should Sweden and Finland join NATO, Russia would have to strengthen its land, naval and air forces in the Baltic Sea. “There can be no more talk of any nuclear-free status for the Baltic – the balance must be restored,” Medvedev said. (Pg 2)
Young Estonian Violinist Triumphs at Nielsen Competition
23-year-old Estonian violinist Hans Christian Aavik was awarded first prize at the conclusion of the renowned ten-day, three-round Carl Nielsen International Competition for classical musicians in Odense, Denmark on April 10. He shared the top prize with Ukrainian violinist Bohdan Luts, 17. (Pg 6)
