In the beginning of May the Russian Orthodox Church conduct services at the graves of WWII soldiers and many Russian people bring flowers to these graves. This tradition is Russian - not communist. Indeed desecration of WWII soldiers grave in that particular time of the year received blessing from Estonia's Western allies. Yes, some rise of nationalism and xenophobia is taking place. However, majority of Russian protesters are speaking against fascits and skeanheads. Skinheads here in Russia and in Western Europe feel free to humiliate and to kill anybody who have got "wrong color of skin" or "wrong nationality". We need to say firm "NO" to any skinheads. I am tired of hollow words of our pro-Western polticians. I would like to vote for closer political relations with the countries where Russians are not treated as "sub-humans". What about China ? Can China and Russia have common political interests and respect each other? Weren't we part of Mongolia? Asia always helped us to resist Western attacks.

Yuri , Moscow, Russia

Empires come and empires go. In a thousand years no one will care about that staute or any other. Governments are responsible for 170+ million deaths in the 20th century and they continue into the 21st. If you support the carnage carried out on your behalf, then your nationalism has blinded you. Sovereignty and freedom are important. That does not stop the mighty and strong from oppressing the small and weak. May God have mercy on us all.

peter, maryland, usa

To once and for all correct the historical record: The Baltic States were never "allies" of either Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia. The Baltic States were militarily occupied during WWII and the Baltic people were prisoners. In contravention of international laws and treaties, Latvian, Estonian, and Lithuanian men, women, and children were used as slave labor and cannon fodder in the military efforts of their demented occupiers, Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany. The brutal occupation of the Baltic States by the Soviet Union continued for over fifty years and attempted to destory the Baltic people, culture, and languages. There is no longer any excuse to repeat Soviet propaganda against the Balts. I will be happy to suggest a reading list beginning with Robert Conquest - REFLECTIONS ON A RAVAGED CENTURY, Martin Amis - KOBA THE DREAD, and Andrievs Ezergailis - THE HOLOCAUST IN LATVIA.

Maija Mierkalns, San Francisco, California USA

"Do russians move from USA to Russia? No. Do they move from Europe to Russia? No. Do they move from Estonia to Russia? No. Russian people feel good in all countries but Russia."

Well-known questions of Skinheads. But I can put it in some other way: Do white colonists move from America back to Europe? Or do white men feel good at the lands which belong to Native Americans? I don't like Skinheads in Russia and elsewhere. My impression is Skinheads govern Estonia. And it is sad that many people in EU and USA are supporting Skinheads. Racism is road to hell.

Yuri , Moscow, Russia

Russians should have NO say in any Estonian matters.
If they don't like it in Estonia--Siberia has plenty of space for them.
If Estonians wanted to remove or burn or blow up that statue, it is their right to do so -- Russians should concentrate their energy to keep their reporters alive.

s moberg, helsinki, finland

Here is a great idea for all these Brits and Americans who love Russia and this statue so much (and yeah, the Russians did not kill millions of people in Eastern Europe — that was only done by Stalin himself, all alone)


Why don‘t you built a statue of Stalin in the middle of London rsp. Washington DC? Take all the bones you want and bore them beneath. After all, these were your allies, not the allies of Estonia

Susanne Modeski, Pine Ridge, Usa

I would like to thank you guys from the US and Britain for your support. My respect to you.

Anton, Moscow, Russia

Furthermore, I am not surprised that many of the people who are supporting Russia in this issue are from the UK. In Europe today as in the past smaller nations and cultures are disrespected and stompted on left, right and centre. Just look at how Westminster (read: England) invaded, colonised, raped, killed and Anglosized the Irish, Welsh, Manx, Scots and Cornish not to mention the brutality of the British Empire around the world. It makes sense then that people from the UK would side with mighty opressive Russia and not small democratic Estonia.

Colm, Corcaigh, Éire/ Ireland

What most people don't understand is it is not about the statue or honor of fallen. In the last few years, very provoking meetings and gatherings were held at the statue but it was'nt major news worldwide. Estonia relocates the statue to prevent further conflicts. Just look at the big picture, Russia does'nt care about a statue, they are removing tens of analog statues in Russia yearly. Russia cares only about their strategy and they use every possible chance to provoke anything to meet their needs. There is a strong evidence the meeting which was escalating to riot was planned by Moscow. Do russians move from USA to Russia? No. Do they move from Europe to Russia? No. Do they move from Estonia to Russia? No.
Russian people feel good in all countries but Russia.

Tarmo, Tallinn, Estonia

I have read all the comments made in the forum. Firstly, why so much insult towards us, Russian people? Are all the nations represented here ideal and innocent? Secondly, much can be said about history and its understanding (that is interpreting), but I want to stress the point of the timing chosen by the Estonian government. It is very close to the 9th of May, Victory Day, the day, sacred for Russia. The riots of Russian part of the population were provoked in this way. Thirdly, when I watch the news from Tallinn these days and the methods of the police applied my heart aches. And the last point, I can't believe that ALL ethnically Russian people living permanently in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania behave as some people here want to show us.

Irina, Magnitogorsk, Russia