First Digital German-Baltic Insights: Russian Speakers and the Baltics - Looking Beyond the Narratives

Article by Oleksandra Frankevych

Invited speakers:

Dr. Inta Mieriņa — Director Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, University of Latvia, Latvia;

Moritz Wendlinger — Project Assistant Munich Security Conference, German Baltic Conference Youth Ambassador, Germany;

Daniil Iarlykovskii — Journalist, Political Activist, German Baltic Conference Youth Ambassador, Estonia.

On 18 March, the German-Baltic Future Foundation hosted the first edition of its Digital German-Baltic Insight series, initiated by Emil Oldekop and the German Country Office. This time, the session focused on the topic “Russian Speakers and the Baltics: Looking Beyond the Narratives.” The online event brought together members of the Foundation’s network and interested participants from across Europe for an engaging discussion on a topic that remains highly relevant for the Baltic security narrative today.

The event was organized together with the Latvian Country Office and created space for a thoughtful exchange on questions of identity, belonging, language, public debate and security. At a time when discussions about Russian-speaking communities are often shaped by political tensions and simplified narratives, the session aimed to offer a broader and more nuanced perspective.

Participants had the opportunity to hear from three speakers with different backgrounds and viewpoints. Dr. Inta Mieriņa, Director of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the University of Latvia, presented key research findings on Russian-speaking communities in Latvia, with a particular focus on questions of belonging, trust, political participation, and social perceptions. Her research showed that 95% of the Russian-speaking community feels a connection to Latvia. It is also important to note that the Russian community is not a homogenous group, but varies in its ideas, thoughts, and beliefs. Moritz Wendlinger, Project Assistant at the Munich Security Conference and German-Baltic Conference Youth Ambassador, spoke about the role of public narratives and examined how issues such as memory politics, language policy, and media regulation have developed in Latvia over the past two decades. He described how international organizations have also shifted their view on Baltic countries regarding this issue, moving from a reluctant perspective to one more in favour of the Baltic position. Daniil Iarlykovskii, journalist, political activist, and DBJW Brand Ambassdor from Estonia, contributed an additional perspective shaped by media work and civic engagement, examining how Russian propaganda has shaped views on Victory Day in Russia and its significant impact on Russian identity.

What made the event especially valuable was the way it combined academic research with broader political and social questions. The discussion showed that the situation of Russian speakers in the Baltics cannot be reduced to simple categories. Instead, it requires a closer look at historical developments, national policies, regional security concerns and the everyday experiences of people living in these societies.

Throughout the event, it became clear how important it is to create space for pannel discussions on sensitive issues. The speakers addressed a wide range of themes, including perceptions of discrimination, the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine, shifts in public discourse, minority integration, and the role of language and culture in shaping identity. At the same time, the conversation remained accessible and engaging for a broad audience, allowing participants from different backgrounds to follow the discussion and take part in it.

The Q&A session once again showed the relevance of this topic. Participants raised thoughtful questions and contributed to a lively exchange on current developments, research findings and long-term societal challenges. This active participation underlined the strong interest in formats that encourage informed dialogue across borders and perspectives.

The session on Russian speakers in the Baltics offered participants many valuable insights and set another strong example of how the Foundation connects people from different countries and professional backgrounds through meaningful dialogue on current regional issues.