Eastern Europe

The bridge connecting Estonia with Russia is seen in Narva, Estonia, on July 24, 2024.
Eastern Europe

In Estonia’s border town, Russian-speaking majority enjoys NATO’s shield, remains mute on Russia’s threat

by Maria Yeryoma

NARVA, Estonia — On both sides of the Narva River, fishermen stand knee-deep in the water between two medieval castles just 101 meters apart. Above them, the flags mark where NATO ends and Russia begins. For years, experts have been warning of the so-called "Narva scenario" — a plan in which Russia might attempt to grab an Estonian border city using its old tune, "protecting the Russian-speaking population." Following Europe's inability to handle Russia's now recurring drone incursions, the mo

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Who is Mykhailo Fedorov, the man Zelensky wants to see as Ukraine's next defense minister

President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed appointing Mykhailo Fedorov as the country's new defense minister. Fedorov, 34, currently serves as Ukraine's deputy prime minister and digital transformation minister. He is one of the very few officials who have been with Zelensky's team since the start of his political career in 2019 and the only minister to survive all the government reshuffles. The decision was announced on Jan. 2 as part of a major political shake-up, following several key appoin

Zelensky picks Military Intelligence Head Budanov as his new chief of staff

President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Kyrylo Budanov, the military intelligence chief, to take charge of the President's Office on Jan. 2. "Now, Ukraine needs more focus on security issues, the development of the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine, as well as on the diplomatic track in negotiations, and the President's Office will serve primarily to fulfill such tasks," Zelensky said. Budanov accepted the offer. "For me, it is an honor and a responsibility to focus on critically impo

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