If there existed a silent competition among the heads of state of former Soviet territories to see who can antagonize the Kremlin the most, one would have to concede that the plucky Estonians certainly punch above their weight. Points in this game would probably be earned for subtlety, creativity, and indirect baiting – much as we saw in all the measured diplomatic statements during the bronze soldier crisis and the ensuing cyber war, which at the end of the day appeared more damaging than beneficial to Russia’s reputation. (as a side note, it looks like Lithuania is already getting its cyber punishment as a result of holding talks with Washington about missiles sites). I have no doubt that for many politicians who at one point in time were dissidents in the former Soviet sphere, that poking Moscow in the eye with a stick is a national past time – sometimes over illegitimate or unimportant concerns, obligating a predictably brusque response from Russia and heightened tensions. Everyone knows how to play the nationalism card. Yet I still don’t know what to make to the latest Estonian escapade sparked a few days ago, which involved Toomas Hendrik Ilves giving a “lyrical” speech before the World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples in Siberia, in which he called upon this constituency in Russia to look at the benefits afforded by EU membership. “Once you have tasted freedom, you will realize how much of it is sacrificed in the name of surviving or just getting by,” he said.