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Russia Today
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Get a rare glimpse into the sick minds behind the EU's warmongering
In the world of Western mainstream media political commentary, not everything is fun. In fact, mostly, things are grimly serious, the sort of seriousness that comes with solid, never-questioned self-importance. But sometimes that professional pomposity reaches a tipping point when strenuous efforts to be very earnest involuntarily produce priceless outcomes. That is the case with a recent elephantine op-ed that has surfaced in Politico under the illustrious names of Gabrielius Landsbergis and Garry Kasparov. Its one, relentlessly reiterated argument is touchingly simple as well as out of touch with the world we really live in: The EU, this fantasy goes, is too consensual, peaceful, and nice (tell the migrants drowning in the Mediterranean or traded as slaves in Libya with de facto EU support). It must become tough, decisive, and fierce, with plenty of arms and gritty oomph. Because otherwise it won't survive in a world shaped by the big bad 'global network of authoritarians' (I won't enumerate them here; it's just the usual suspects of every Centrist's fever dream) and, for good measure, terrorists, too. (Surely, the latter, at least, do no longer include Mr. Jolani, the former leader of the Al Qaeda franchise in Syria who has recently been reborn miraculously as an avatar of diversity now going by Al Sharaa?) Landsbergis is a political nepo baby, enthusiastic NATO sectarian, and the former foreign minister of Lithuania. While popular at international meet-ups of adult – so they say at least – Europeans calling US presidents 'daddy,' a 2023 poll back home in Lithuania saw him fail to breach the 2-percent threshold. If that sounds like perfect material for a blind date with Kamala Harris, Landsbergis certainly has time on his hands after losing his constituency last year and announcing he wanted to take a break from politics. No less, it seems, than his voters clearly needed a break from him. Kasparov is, by comparison with Landsbergis, at least an original phenomenon, the idiot savant of chess. A former world champion, he has now spent decades proving that one can be a chess genius and a perfect dunce in every other respect, especially politics. Since he has combined this obstinate – and almost brave, if that is the word – playing to his worst weaknesses with an equally stubborn obsession with going after Russia and its leadership he still has his fans, in the West. Together, Landsbergis and Kasparov have signed off on a gargantuan effort to produce another Long Telegram. Clearly, they are driven by a comically misplaced ambition to best American diplomat and Ur-Cold Warrior' George Kennan – a complex, dour, and vain man, but certainly no fool, as his later fall from official grace and opposition to daft Western expansionism showed – who issued the renowned call to arms against the Soviet Union in 1946/47. What early Cold War Kennan did for the US – and by extension, its postwar empire – Kasparov and Landsbergis would very much, desperately like to be able to do for the EU. And they have striven mightily. Yet they have strutted into the classical trap of the epigone: think of their imitation clarion call as a mix between embarrassingly poor-but-eager fan fiction, a bizarre alternative history of the EU, and a rambling and rather dull party speech masquerading as an op-ed. Yes, that is how bad it is. Indeed, the screed by the Lithuanian has-been and the chess master who went full blockhead is so self-defeatingly shoddy that it's difficult to know where to begin. So, for starters, just for a rough sense of what we are dealing with, this is a text asserting the EU systematically promotes politicians who are 'excellent negotiators.' Such as Ursula von der Leyen, we must assume? The one really in charge (although no one can coherently explain why) in the EU who has just 'negotiated' a grotesquely disadvantageous anti-'deal' – really an unconditional surrender without a fight – with the US, built on the elegantly simple principle 'You get everything, we get nothing, and we'll pay you for that as well.' This claim about the EU producing excellence at the negotiating table, is all the more curious (Is 'curious' the word? Would 'symptomatic' be better?) since Landsbergis and Kasparov do mention that recent fiasco at Trump's Turnberry Golf Berghof as well. Somehow, between the former foreign minister and the former chess champion, no one noticed the contradiction. But then again, these are the same bright minds who believe that the EU is a beacon of 'free trade.' In reality, one purpose the EU was built for – apart from suppressing national sovereignty and whatever faint elements of democracy postwar European states actually have featured – was to not allow for free trade. In reality, the EU permits something resembling free trade only when it is perceived as advantageous to its own agenda or that of specific states and pressure groups – or, of course, when it is forced to do so. In all other cases, it practices a whole plethora of protectionist policies, from the classic Common Agricultural Policy to so-called anti-dumping rules that it uses as geopolitical weapons. It also runs an enormous redistribution scheme between its member nations, something that Landsbergis from Lithuania certainly knows from its most cushy side. While not directly a trade issue, that, too, is far from the pure doctrine of free markets and invisible hands. Finally, it was, obviously, precisely the EU's – not Russia's – refusal to even consider 'free' trade for Ukraine with both itself and Russia that played a key role in triggering the original Ukraine crisis of 2013/14. More examples of painfully under-informed and under-thought (both polite expressions) statements could be added. But why torment ourselves? You get the gist: Details – though by no means minor – are not Landsbergis and Kasparov's forte. What about the grand argument then? It is not merely ignorant but positively toxic. For Kasparov and Landsbergis, it is certain that the EU and 'Putin's Russia' can never 'peacefully coexist,' and while hedging a tiny bit with regard to China, they say essentially the same about the bloc's relationship with Beijing as well. As card-carrying members of the 'daddy'-saying club, they let the US off lightly, bending themselves into submissive pretzels by, on one side, noting that it is abandoning its EU vassals and, on the other, saying that that's okay, daddy, and, anyhow, we Europeans need tough love. In effect, they paint a picture of an EU that can rely only on itself. And that is the madness of their article: They are right – even if cowardly – about the fact that it cannot rely on the US. But they are wrong, in fact, deluded, about two key things. First, they are dishonest about 'going it alone.' Because they are, of course, not ready to be consistent and encourage the EU to, in that case, actually put its own interests above the demands of the US. The obvious test here is Ukraine. If Landsbergis and Kasparov were ready to face the fact that the EU must end, instead of increase, its support for Kiev, then one could take them seriously to an extent. But the opposite is the case. Second, there is no need to 'go it alone,' and, in fact, there is no such option. If Kasparov and Landsbergis could free themselves for a moment from their ideological obsessions, they would easily realize that the way forward for the EU in a world where the US has become an even more damaging 'friend' than before is to seek normal relationships with others, in particular with China and Russia. In terms of both security and economics, these are the relationships that would allow the EU to perhaps escape decline. Yet driven by provincial phobias and petty personal grudges, Kasparov and Landsbergis miss the obvious. What is profoundly disturbing about their rant is not that it exists: someone will always be full enough of themselves to produce flimsy, atrocious ideas and mistake them for advice to share. Yet in a halfway normal environment, such things would stay on Reddit. That they are treated as worthy of a mainstream platform is a sign that, indeed, the EU has severe problems and needs radical change. Just not along the lines suggested by Landsbergis and Kasparov.
The Irish Sun
26-07-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
How country on Putin's doorstep is preparing for invasion… with a forest barricade, hidden army & miles of dragon teeth
ON Vladimir Putin's doorstep, a tiny Nato nation of two million people are drawing up war plans for a possible invasion. Lithuania has recruited a secret army and drawn up plans for a forest barricade and miles of anti-tank dragon teeth to help keep Russia's bloodthirsty tyrant at arm's length. Advertisement 15 Belarusian army vehicles take part in war games exercises near the border of Lithuania Credit: AP:Associated Press 15 By 2027, Germany will send across an entire, highly-skilled combat unit to be stationed around Vilnius Credit: AFP 15 Lithuania is drawing up war plans for a possible invasion from Russia Credit: David Bebber - The Times 15 Whilst the Baltic state doesn't have a direct border with mainland Russia, it shares almost 700km with their allies in Belarus. It is also nestled up to Russia's militarised outpost Kaliningrad - leaving them vulnerable to Russian interference and future attacks. Insiders have been Just this week, officials in Lithuania said Russia is ramping up GPS jamming operations against the country - with pilots reporting more than 1,000 disruptions in June. Advertisement Read more on Lithuania It marks a massive increase - with 585 incidents recorded in May and 447 in April. And security chiefs have identified the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad as the source of the "interference". In the face of evil, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's former Foreign Minister, said his country is continuing to push back against enemy forces. Lithuania is already in the top five Nato members who spend the most on defence each year. Advertisement Most read in The Sun The government has also managed to make a deal with Germany to Lithuanians are also pushing for the creation of a blockade with Belarus - in case Putin launches a cross-border invasion. Zelensky warns Putin eyeing FIVE other European countries for invasion if he isn't stopped dead in Ukraine Landsbergis told The Sun: "There is a push to think about defence lines on the border. "I would like to see wherever possible new forests being seeded to plant trees. Advertisement "We still have a lot of open space which could be used by tanks to roll over. "I would like to see actual defence lines being built with mines, ditches, infrastructure, such as dragon teeth. "We are taking this really seriously and it shows to the enemy that we are taking the threat seriously." As a former MP in Lithuania, Landsbergis is well aware of the threat that Russia poses. Advertisement Should Putin chose to invade a Nato member then he would likely choose Lithuania, many insiders believe. 15 Lithuanian Army soldiers take part military exercise near the Polish border Credit: AP 15 Gabrielius Landsbergis, former Foreign Minister of Lithuania, speaks to journalists at the Nato foreign ministers' meeting in 2021 Credit: AFP 15 Putin has a very strong relationship with Belarus' leader Alexander Lukashenko Credit: AP Advertisement 15 This is due to its small size - but also the long border it shares with two regions under heavy Russian protection. Vilmantas Vitkauskas, a former security adviser to the Lithuanian government, believes the enclave of Kaliningrad is "the main target for the Russians". Another reason for Russia to view Lithuania as an easy target is due to their small army. Advertisement Lithuania has less than 15,000 active personal in their ranks - and their equipment is also among the most outdated in Europe. A bloodthirsty tyrant like Putin may fancy his chances at pulling off a successful invasion. Meet Lithuania's 'Iron Wolf' troops "WE are ready to fight Russia until the last man, Vladimir Putin's war has a long shadow over the Baltic states - and many people fear if Russia isn't stopped in Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia could be next for Vlad. Lithuanian troops and armoured vehicles were on exercise in the bone-chilling cold of the frozen forests of the Pabrade training area. Our reporter was embedded with them as they carried out the war games drills just 10 miles from There is a danger of feeling removed from the war in the UK, but for the people of the Baltics the conflict is essentially knocking at their front door. Troops hunkered down in foxholes and crawled along the snow-covered ground as they prepared for the possibility they could one day have to fight to defend their homes. Read more about the drills But Lithuania is fighting back against the threat. They have agreed to a major deal which would bolster their numbers and Advertisement By 2027, Germany will send across an entire, highly-skilled combat unit to be stationed around Vilnius. This will prompt Putin to rethink any invasion plans, Landsbergis believes. He added: 'The Russians will have to take into consideration that they would be attacking, not just Lithuanian troops, but German troops now.' Germany pose a much greater threat to Moscow due to their huge and advanced army. Advertisement 15 Poland already has a giant metal border wall with Belarus with those in Lithuania calling for a similar blockade Credit: AP 15 An abandoned fence sits in a forest near the Suwalki Gap area - a land corridor on the shared border between Lithuania, Poland and Russia Credit: Reuters 15 Despite having less than 15,000 active troops, Lithuania's army are confident they can repel a Russian attack Credit: Ian Whittaker And any form of attack on German troops will provoke a response from Berlin far greater than Russia has felt before. Advertisement Vitkauskas and Landsbergis believe more nations within Nato should follow Germany to bolster fellow allies who sit in striking distance. Maintaining strength as a country - and as a united block with other states in Nato and across the world - is vital to keep Russia at bay, Vitkauskas said. He added: "The question is how strong are we as country? "And it's not just Lithuania, any country around us or or even further in different continents." Advertisement PUTIN'S TWISTED PLOTS It's feared a Russian attack could "spark at any moment" - especially with Putin already wreaking havoc across Europe, experts warn. Since the invasion of Ukraine, nations on the Baltic Sea have faced damage to undersea power cables, arson and cyberattacks. A number of attacks on the continent have been attributed to Putin - including a Putin also has a history of facing accusations saying he is being major cyber attacks which strike critical enemy infrastructure. Advertisement Estonian military chief Martin Harem previously warned how the tyrant uses 15 Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Putin won't stop at just invading Ukraine if he isn't stopped by Nato Credit: AFP 15 Lithuanian Emergency Ministry employees work at the site where a DHL cargo plane crashed into a house near Vilnius Credit: AP Vitkauskas believes the despot thrives of "uncertainty by causing chaos within the public", so leaders must always be "vigilant" and "prepared". Advertisement To counter the threat, Lithuania is putting "a lot of effort" into protecting their energy and electricity supplies - but also, internet networks and broadband . This critical infrastructure will be the first to be struck if Russian forces launch an assault so must be a priority, Vitkauskas cautioned. "When we talk about the Russian threat, we understand there is an intent and there is capability," Vitkauskas said. "We've seen what's happening around Europe, what's happening in our country and we know the capability is there. Advertisement "There are very clear examples the Russians have decided to wage operations in our country. "The main effort from the Russian special services is to raise some doubts. It's very strategic. But I'm sure it will not succeed." Timeline of Russian sabotage attacks across Europe SINCE the war in Ukraine it is believed the Russians have launched a wave of sabotage attacks across Europe. Oslo, Norway, June 29, 2022 - Cyberattack renders government websites unusable for 24 hours Riga, Latvia, February 27, 2024 - Arson attack on'Museum of the Occuption' London, UK, March 20, 2024 - Wagner-group linked arson attack at warehouse Wroclaw, Poland, April 18, 2024 - Plot to assassinate Zelensky foiled Warsaw, Poland, April 13, 2024 - Warsaw shopping centre torched by suspected Russian agent Berlin, Germany, May 3, 2024 - Cyberattacks on German politicians and companies Prague, Czechia, May 3, 2024 - Mass cyber attacks on government and infrastructure Vilnius, Lithuania, May, 9, 2024 - Arson attack on Ikea - targeted as store was same colour as Ukrainian flag Paris, France, June 7, 2024 - Russian accused of planning plot to plant bomb at D-day celebration Dusseldorf, Germany, July 12 , 2024 - Western intelligence reveal plot to assassinate German arms boss Birmingham, UK, July 22, 2024 - Russia suspected of planting device at DHL depot Warsaw, November 8, 2024 - Prosecutors reveal Russian parcel bomb plot across Europe Vilnius, Lithuania, November 25, 2024 - DHL cargo plane crashes after suspected Russian package bomb Baltic Sea, December 25, 2024 - Estlink-2 cable cut by ship anchor - one of many cable cutting attacks linked to Russia Landsbergis fears the Kremlin may already be plotting how to launch an invasion through the use of cyber warfare. He says one possible scenario could involve them causing a train travelling from Moscow to Kaliningrad via Lithuania to break down. Advertisement Putin could then say he is obliged to send his men to help the Russian citizens trapped on board. These border agents and police officers would also need to be accompanied by Russian troops due to them entering a hostile environment. Landsbergis believes it could then "all escalate in a matter of hours". Serious panic for both Lithuanian officials and Nato would soon set in once Putin's men enter through Belarus. Advertisement Landsbergis speculated: "Maybe we're just overreacting right? It's a normal civilian rescue situation. "Just help Russians with whatever you can, don't shoot, don't escalate. Take it slow and maintain a cool head. "But then the next thing you know we lose at least partially the control of all of our territory." 15 Landsbergis says one possible attack could involve Russia causing a train travelling from Moscow to Kaliningrad via Lithuania to break down Credit: Ian Whittaker Advertisement 15 Nato soldiers take part in a welcoming ceremony for alliance troops arriving at the Rukla base in Rukla, Lithuania Credit: EPA
The Sun
26-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
How country on Putin's doorstep is preparing for invasion… with a forest barricade, hidden army & miles of dragon teeth
ON Vladimir Putin's doorstep, a tiny Nato nation of two million people are drawing up war plans for a possible invasion. Lithuania has recruited a secret army and drawn up plans for a forest barricade and miles of anti-tank dragon teeth to help keep Russia's bloodthirsty tyrant at arm's length. 13 13 Whilst the Baltic state doesn't have a direct border with mainland Russia, it shares almost 700km with their allies in Belarus. It is also nestled up to Russia's militarised outpost Kaliningrad - leaving them vulnerable to Russian interference and future attacks. Insiders have been warning for years that there are "very clear" examples of Putin "waging operations" in Lithuania already. Just this week, officials in Lithuania said Russia is ramping up GPS jamming operations against the country - with pilots reporting more than 1,000 disruptions in June. It marks a massive increase - with 585 incidents recorded in May and 447 in April. And security chiefs have identified the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad as the source of the "interference". In the face of evil, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's former Foreign Minister, said his country is continuing to push back against enemy forces. Lithuania is already in the top five Nato members who spend the most on defence each year. The government has also managed to make a deal with Germany to secure 5,000 additional troops to be ready to fight on behalf of Lithuania. Lithuanians are also pushing for the creation of a blockade with Belarus - in case Putin launches a cross-border invasion. Zelensky warns Putin eyeing FIVE other European countries for invasion if he isn't stopped dead in Ukraine Landsbergis told The Sun: "There is a push to think about defence lines on the border. "I would like to see wherever possible new forests being seeded to plant trees. "We still have a lot of open space which could be used by tanks to roll over. "I would like to see actual defence lines being built with mines, ditches, infrastructure, such as dragon teeth. "We are taking this really seriously and it shows to the enemy that we are taking the threat seriously." As a former MP in Lithuania, Landsbergis is well aware of the threat that Russia poses. Should Putin chose to invade a Nato member then he would likely choose Lithuania, many insiders believe. 13 13 13 This is due to its small size - but also the long border it shares with two regions under heavy Russian protection. Vilmantas Vitkauskas, a former security adviser to the Lithuanian government, believes the enclave of Kaliningrad is "the main target for the Russians". Another reason for Russia to view Lithuania as an easy target is due to their small army. Lithuania has less than 15,000 active personal in their ranks - and their equipment is also among the most outdated in Europe. A bloodthirsty tyrant like Putin may fancy his chances at pulling off a successful invasion. Meet Lithuania's 'Iron Wolf' troops "WE are ready to fight Russia until the last man, Vladimir Putin's war has a long shadow over the Baltic states - and many people fear if Russia isn't stopped in Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia could be next for Vlad. Lithuanian troops and armoured vehicles were on exercise in the bone-chilling cold of the frozen forests of the Pabrade training area. Our reporter was embedded with them as they carried out the war games drills just 10 miles from Belarus - Russia's closest ally and a nation that is essentially a puppet state for Vlad. There is a danger of feeling removed from the war in the UK, but for the people of the Baltics the conflict is essentially knocking at their front door. Troops hunkered down in foxholes and crawled along the snow-covered ground as they prepared for the possibility they could one day have to fight to defend their homes. Read more about the drills here. But Lithuania is fighting back against the threat. They have agreed to a major deal which would bolster their numbers and improve their battlefield experience. By 2027, Germany will send across an entire, highly-skilled combat unit to be stationed around Vilnius. This will prompt Putin to rethink any invasion plans, Landsbergis believes. He added: 'The Russians will have to take into consideration that they would be attacking, not just Lithuanian troops, but German troops now.' Germany pose a much greater threat to Moscow due to their huge and advanced army. 13 13 13 And any form of attack on German troops will provoke a response from Berlin far greater than Russia has felt before. Vitkauskas and Landsbergis believe more nations within Nato should follow Germany to bolster fellow allies who sit in striking distance. Maintaining strength as a country - and as a united block with other states in Nato and across the world - is vital to keep Russia at bay, Vitkauskas said. He added: "The question is how strong are we as country? "And it's not just Lithuania, any country around us or or even further in different continents." PUTIN'S TWISTED PLOTS It's feared a Russian attack could "spark at any moment" - especially with Putin already wreaking havoc across Europe, experts warn. Since the invasion of Ukraine, nations on the Baltic Sea have faced damage to undersea power cables, arson and cyberattacks. A number of attacks on the continent have been attributed to Putin - including a fire at an Ikea store in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius. Putin also has a history of facing accusations saying he is being major cyber attacks which strike critical enemy infrastructure. Estonian military chief Martin Harem previously warned how the tyrant uses an electronic warfare system to jam GPS technology on flights and ships. 13 13 Vitkauskas believes the despot thrives of "uncertainty by causing chaos within the public", so leaders must always be "vigilant" and "prepared". To counter the threat, Lithuania is putting "a lot of effort" into protecting their energy and electricity supplies - but also, internet networks and broadband. This critical infrastructure will be the first to be struck if Russian forces launch an assault so must be a priority, Vitkauskas cautioned. "When we talk about the Russian threat, we understand there is an intent and there is capability," Vitkauskas said. "We've seen what's happening around Europe, what's happening in our country and we know the capability is there. "There are very clear examples the Russians have decided to wage operations in our country. "The main effort from the Russian special services is to raise some doubts. It's very strategic. But I'm sure it will not succeed." Timeline of Russian sabotage attacks across Europe SINCE the war in Ukraine it is believed the Russians have launched a wave of sabotage attacks across Europe. Oslo, Norway, June 29, 2022 - Cyberattack renders government websites unusable for 24 hours Riga, Latvia, February 27, 2024 - Arson attack on'Museum of the Occuption' London, UK, March 20, 2024 - Wagner-group linked arson attack at warehouse Wroclaw, Poland, April 18, 2024 - Plot to assassinate Zelensky foiled Warsaw, Poland, April 13, 2024 - Warsaw shopping centre torched by suspected Russian agent Berlin, Germany, May 3, 2024 - Cyberattacks on German politicians and companies Prague, Czechia, May 3, 2024 - Mass cyber attacks on government and infrastructure Vilnius, Lithuania, May, 9, 2024 - Arson attack on Ikea - targeted as store was same colour as Ukrainian flag Paris, France, June 7, 2024 - Russian accused of planning plot to plant bomb at D-day celebration Dusseldorf, Germany, July 12, 2024 - Western intelligence reveal plot to assassinate German arms boss Birmingham, UK, July 22, 2024 - Russia suspected of planting device at DHL depot Warsaw, November 8, 2024 - Prosecutors reveal Russian parcel bomb plot across Europe Vilnius, Lithuania, November 25, 2024 - DHL cargo plane crashes after suspected Russian package bomb Baltic Sea, December 25, 2024 - Estlink-2 cable cut by ship anchor - one of many cable cutting attacks linked to Russia Landsbergis fears the Kremlin may already be plotting how to launch an invasion through the use of cyber warfare. He says one possible scenario could involve them causing a train travelling from Moscow to Kaliningrad via Lithuania to break down. Putin could then say he is obliged to send his men to help the Russian citizens trapped on board. These border agents and police officers would also need to be accompanied by Russian troops due to them entering a hostile environment. Landsbergis believes it could then "all escalate in a matter of hours". Serious panic for both Lithuanian officials and Nato would soon set in once Putin's men enter through Belarus. Landsbergis speculated: "Maybe we're just overreacting right? It's a normal civilian rescue situation. "Just help Russians with whatever you can, don't shoot, don't escalate. Take it slow and maintain a cool head. "But then the next thing you know we lose at least partially the control of all of our territory." 13 13
National Post
04-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Marcus Kolga: University of Toronto education project risks reinforcing Russian disinformation
Article content This key fact in Canadian foreign policy is ignored. As then-prime minister Justin Trudeau stated in 2016: 'Canada never recognized the Soviet Union's occupation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and always supported their struggle to restore independence during decades of Soviet occupation.' Article content Former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis recently put it plainly: 'Lithuania never joined the U.S.S.R. Moscow illegally occupied our territory, so we resisted until we restored our independence, and the Red Army went back home. We're not 'post-Soviet'.' A better description, he said, would be 'never-Soviet.' Article content Vladimir Putin's regime has made this distortion of Russia's imperial history — and the manipulation of the terms used to describe it — a central pillar of its foreign policy. These distortions are used to justify aggression against Ukraine and to undermine the sovereignty of the Baltic states. Framing Soviet rule as a benign 'multicultural experiment,' and labelling formerly occupied nations as 'post-Soviet' risks legitimizing the very disinformation that fuels Kremlin imperialism. In both education and information warfare, the accuracy of terminology is critically important. Words matter. Article content The project's blanket characterization of Canadian communities as 'post-Soviet populations' is not only inaccurate, it's deeply offensive. My nephew, born in Estonia in the early 2000s to an Estoniаn-Canadian father and now studying in Canada, is not 'post-Soviet.' Neither are the tens of thousands of Canadians of Baltic, Ukrainian, Georgian or Central Asian heritage whose families were displaced, terrorized and brutalized by Soviet Russian occupation. This kind of labelling reeks of Western academic chauvinism. It erases the lived trauma of colonization and flattens survivors and their descendants into a vague, ahistorical category — stripping them of agency, dignity and identity. Article content Most troublingly, this project is federally funded through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). In response to criticism from the Lithuanian Embassy, SSHRC President Ted Hewitt defended the project on grounds of 'academic freedom.' But academic freedom does not extend to legitimizing historical falsehoods, especially those that harm communities or align with authoritarian propaganda. Article content The University of Toronto must acknowledge and apologize for the flaws in this project and not double down on them. In a letter responding to concerns raised by Lithuania's Ambassador to Canada, Egidijus Meilūnas, OISE Vice-Dean Creso Sá claimed that the 'primary aim' of the project is to 'deepen understanding' of diaspora communities. This is a laudable goal. But it cannot be achieved by distorting historical truths or marginalizing the very communities the project claims to 'understand.' Article content OISE and SSHRC should instead engage directly with affected communities and experts to develop research that accurately reflects the complex legacy of Soviet colonization and celebrates the resilience of those who resisted it. The contributions of Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Ukrainian and other diaspora groups in Canada should be recognized, not distorted by false generalizations aligned with Kremlin narratives. Article content
CBC
30-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
The time when foreign invasions were impossible is over, former diplomats tell defence conference
Social Sharing At the onset of the First World War, Britain's veritable foreign secretary, Sir Edward Grey, remarked that the lamps were going out all over Europe and "we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime." The metaphor has long been considered as the unofficial epitaph to what at the time was the longest run of peace and prosperity on the continent. The retelling of that story has become commonplace since the invasion of Ukraine. It was hard not to think of it this week when listening to both a former NATO secretary general and the man who was Lithuania's foreign minister as they each delivered stark assessments of where the world is going and how it got here. Neither Lord George Robertson, who led the Western military alliance from 1999 to 2003, nor Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Baltic nation's top diplomat for years, argued that we're on the cusp of war. Rather, they both called for clear-eyed deterrence as they delivered separate, sobering messages at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries annual gathering of defence contractors in Ottawa, known as CANSEC. Even still. The post-Cold War era where nations didn't have to worry about their sovereignty and territorial defence is over, Robertson told the conference. "That world has evaporated, and it will not return even in our children's lifetime," he said. NATO's Article 5 — the pledge of collective defence and that an attack on one was an attack on all — gets all of the attention, Robertson said. But he argued that the third article of the Washington Treaty, which established NATO in 1949, will get more and more attention in the coming months and years. That clause says members must have the individual and collective capacity to resist an armed attack. "In other words, there is an obligation to defend your own homeland, an obligation that was, too often in the past, overlooked as we've looked at the [terrorist] enemy abroad," Robertson said. "There's no longer room for business as usual." It's been that way for more than a decade, he said, following the Russian annexation of Crimea. "As we see every day in the east of Ukraine, the threat of naked aggression and wonton violence in the Euro Atlantic region — it's no longer theoretical, no longer just a remote possibility," Robertson said. "It's real. It's brutal and it's very, very close to us." The challenge today for nations, including Canada, is to stop believing that some things, such as invasions, are impossible. "We need to be alert and wide awake," said Robertson, who admitted in a later interview to being frustrated with Canada's anemic record of defence spending. But he added he's encouraged to see promises to do more from Prime Minister Mark Carney's government. Canada is hoping to soon sign on to a major $1.25-trillion European Union defence-industrial plan known as ReArm Europe. Landsbergis was intensely critical of European leaders, who he says have been hitting the snooze button on defence since the 2008 Russian invasion of neighbouring Georgia. His reaction to the ReArm Europe plan could be summed up in two words: about time. "We're finally starting to see our leaders talk about serious money," Landsbergis said. "The European ReArm plan might be the first step in the right direction." Landsbergis said Europe simply allowed the crisis to build following Russia's annexation of Crimea, rather than taking decisive action. It has been, he said, a wasted decade. "During that time, Europeans said all the right things, but unfortunately very little preparation," Landsbergis said. "After the 2022 [Ukraine] invasion, there was hope that the situation would change dramatically and European factories would start rolling out tanks, howitzers and ammunition. This happened, but not to the extent that one would have hoped." WATCH | Canada plans military buildup in the Arctic: Canada plans Arctic military expansion as part of sovereignty push 15 days ago Duration 2:02 Canada is planning a major Arctic military expansion, boosting its presence by several months each year and inviting more NATO troops to join. The move aims to assert sovereignty and respond to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. NATO does its best to put things in context, saying over the past decade, European allies and Canada have steadily increased their collective investment in defence — from 1.43 per cent of their combined gross domestic product in 2014, to 2.02 per cent in 2024. (Canada currently sits at 1.37 percent of GDP) The increase represents $485 billion US in defence, the alliance says. Landsbergis's criticism, however, was not restricted to the political establishment. He said defence contractors and the corporate world have been equally stuck on the notion of business as usual. "Every conversation I had with defense industry representatives during the years of war would end with a phrase: 'I'm not building anything until you show me the money,'" he said. "And that was the crux of the problem. Europe would talk nice but spend little and business leaders, Putin or anyone who's good at math would see right through it." The lack of urgency, Landsbergis said, was evident in Ukraine's life-and-death fight to hold the line from the advancing Russian army. As a Lithuanian who understands life under Russian occupation, the arming of Ukraine in fits and starts was painful to watch, he said. "Whenever another baby step is taken, I must show gratitude and whisper to myself, 'Better late than never,'" Landsbergis said.
