Hoa Nguyen University of Ulster-Coleraine Abstract for All-Ireland Undergraduate Research Conference

The Tensions between the Baltic States and the Russian Federation: NATO and EU Enlargement, Russian Speaking Minor Ethnicities, and Energy Hard Power Policies The report investigates the reasons explaining tense relations between the Baltic States and the Russian Federation. Baltic States, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania geographically lay right next to the Russian Federation, and to some extent, are buffers between Russia and the West. Hence, they received a significant influence from their big brother Russia and struggled to find policies reaching harmony and peace in the region. From the fall of the Soviet Block until now, the Baltic States changed their foreign policies dramatically and hence, created different complicated tides with their Russian brother. From the research, the Baltic States had rough relations with the Russian Federation due to three elements: the control and punishment of Russian energy supply policies, the Russian speaking minorities tensions with local people, and the insecurities and distrust since the Baltic States joined and were active member states of NATO and the E.U. All of these three reasons were equally important and contributed greatly to the conflicts and domestic unrest of the Baltic States. In fact, the three elements created a circle of tensions and retaliations as well as distrust between these states: Russia was not pleased with the Baltic States policies, punishing the Balts with cut off in gas and oil, in addition to bringing more troops to its borders. The Balts, consequently, would be upset and their governments would warn Russia by military exercises with NATO, thus cause the deeper tension and stirred up turmoil already existed domestically between the indigenous people and Russian speakers. Unfortunately, Russia had not been able to overcome the mind-set that these Baltic States were

not part of the border of the USSR or Russia today. Therefore, neither Estonia, Latvia, nor Lithuania had to be subject to Moscows interest when they decided national policies. However, to ensure peace in the region, leaders in the Baltic States might want to consider policies agreed upon NATO Member states while still showing Russia-the big bear, some diplomatic respect so the population, both local people and the Russian-speaking minorities can live and cooperate together. That way, peace and security could be remain, both in national and individual level.