Travels through The Baltics. Slava Ukraini!

in Worldmappin2 months ago

Estonia has, since the break up of the USSR been a close friend and ally of Ukraine. During the war following putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine Estonia has morally and financially supported Ukraine in its efforts to repel the invasion.

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Could it be argued that in some ways it is also self-preservation? Are we next if putin is not stopped? I road tripped Estonia for a month several years ago climbing through windows. Including Narva, the border town, amazing place, but and a big but 87% of the population are ethnic russians.

That trip's last night, back in Tallinn, I was chatting after hours with a waitress in a bar about my adventures, when I mentioned narva she spat on the floor and said "fucking Russians". Pause for thought.

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Western "powers" sitting and doing nothing about Georgia in 2008, the invasion of eastern Ukraine as well as the Crimea in 2014. (Crimea, an enigma, gifted to the former SSR by Khrushchev in the mid 50's for his own political ends, 60% ethnic russian, 24% Ukrainian). The Minsk 2 "agreement" a gift for putin, in his quest not only to control Ukraine but to seek a New World Order.

But this is neither the time nor the place for that. I do not want to appear to trivialise a serious issue. I am just an old bloke with a camera.

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So here I am... Walking through the cobbled streets of old Tallinn, April 2025, the architecture, fairy tale gothic then suddenly the russian embassy on Pikk Tanav “Long Street” in English.

Along the frontage of the embassy a focal point for the hate Estonians feel for putin and russia. Homemade signs, a long line of messages, photographs of the carnage, the bloodshed and the missing people in Ukraine.

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The embassy and its frontage under 24 hr police monitoring, as is the Ukrainian embassy.

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_DSC3279.jpg Balance of probabilities? Do we really know that navalny was murdered by putin ? Navalny himself let us not forget, in former times was racist and antagonistic towards Ukraine and other former SSR's.

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What next? Ukraine being sold down the river because the donald is owned by putin? Ukraine being forced into giving up its sovereign territory? europe going to war? who knows where the game will end. We are just pawns in that game.

All I know is that too many brave Ukrainians have died, too many young russian conscripts from thousands of miles in the far east have died, not knowing why.

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A book I recently devoured in one sitting, a plausible believable scenario.

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and yes the town of Narva. Is this the 21st century Fulda Gap? and as Joseph Chamberlain once remarked...

..."May you live in interesting times"

Thanks for visiting my page, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. this is Stephen aka, @grindle, happily retired, travelling the world snapping away. My weapon of choice is currently a Nikon Z6.jpg

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I was in Tallinn two years ago walking around the beautiful city like you, and originally I didn't realise it was the Russian embassy. There wasn't so much bloodbath outside then. I imagine people were still in a phase of upset and despair. That has turned into anger now. And rightly so. This morning, a drone was dropped only two blocks from the home of one of our very own here!! It has been going on for far too long, the so called world leaders are just paying lip service to drag things out 😡

That is shocking to hear, I get worried when she is absent for long periods.

The amount of tension and poignancy in this blog. I got emotional upon reading this. Your photos are telling a serious and relevant story. This must be a travel of understating and empathy for you @grindle. It is so sad to read those posters containing bloody and concerning stories

Thank you @whosee for dropping in, and yes it pulls at the heart strings, let us all live in hope that 2026 brings us all inner peace

I am in Turkey now. Four years ago I said: this is all a political game in which we are all pawns. You wrote these words here. Yesterday I met a girl from Estonia here. She said: the situation is tense... Who is next after Ukraine...? No one knows what will happen next. Despite everything - today I wish you a Happy New Year!

It is @olga.maslievich , I hope you are finding comfort in Turkey, I hope 26 is better for you, maybe this year you and the girls will return to your homeland, stay safe xx

Wishing you all the best

Moments like these show how travel can deepen understanding, not just collect views. 🙁

Cheers @gabrielatravels
Good point well made.
All the best for the season and a happy new year ish! from the UK

Thank you! Happy New Year from Romania!! 😁

super xx

I did not know this about Estonia, the photos tell an awful story! War is horrific and politicians fan those fires while many young men not fully understanding what they're fighting for, die on the fields.
A Scenario like the book would be very very scary, the end of the world as we know it!

Yes indeed, whilst politicians sit in their warmth and comfort, those that die are just numbers.

Absolutely atrocious, and the hands of the citizens are tied!

it is, they are

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As a Vietnamese person, your post truly touches my heart. Our nation only emerged from the shadow of war not too long ago, so we deeply understand the pain and loss it leaves behind. No one should have to endure such hardship. My heart goes out to the people of Ukraine. Wishing for a future where peace finally returns to Ukraine 🕊️🕊️🕊️

I have empathy with your feelings Vietnam is emerging as a forward thinking improving country, I first visited it in 2006 and lov3d every minute of my travels, the people were so warm and friendly, evn thoigh their history is very sad

It’s so wonderful to hear you enjoyed your time here! 2006 feels like forever ago, doesn't it? Today, Vietnam has become a beautiful blend of the ancient and the modern. You’ll find world-class resorts and bustling tech hubs sitting right alongside thousand year old temples. We’d love to have you back soon ❤️

Cheers, yes it was an epic adventure for sure, happy New Year