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{{Short description|Overview of territorial changes of the Baltic states after 1940}}
'''Territorial changes of the ]''' occurred when ], ] and ] gained their independence from Russia in the aftermath of the ]. They concluded treaties with ], and these have been the source of political tensions after they regained their independence with the ]. Some of the disputes remain unresolved.


{{Multiple issues|
The main issues are the territories claimed by or belonged to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the ], but became attached to ], ] and ] after ].
{{more citations needed|date=November 2010}}
{{Update|type=section|date=September 2011}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}


'''Territorial changes of the Baltic states''' refers to the redrawing of borders of ], ] and ] after 1940. The three republics, formerly autonomous regions within the former ] and before that of former ] and as provinces of the ], gained independence in the aftermath of ] and the ]. After a two-front independence war fought against both ]n and ] nationalist forces, the countries concluded peace and border treaties with Soviet Russia in 1920. However, with ] and the occupation and annexation of these republics into the Soviet Union twenty years after their independence, certain territorial changes were made in favour of the ]. This has been the source of political tensions after they regained their independence with the dissolution of the ]. Some of the disputes remain unresolved.
⚫ After the dissolution of the Soviet Union the issue of these lost territories was raised by the Estonian and Latvian governments.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Lithuania has never officially raised the question of its borders and has border treaties with all its neighbors. Only marginal political groups use the "issue of borders" in their political rhetoric.


The main issues are the territories which were part of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the ], but which became incorporated into the ], ] and ] after ]. In addition, some territories that were not controlled by the independent Baltic republics were also annexed during the Soviet era. The most notable case is ] taken from Poland by the ] to become the capital of Lithuania.
⚫ == Actual territorial changes after World War II ==
] and ] after ]]]
⚫ This is a list of actual territorial changes that happened when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were incorporated into the Soviet Union and became the ]. All the boundaries established by these changes exist up to modern days (now they are delimiting the boundaries of independent Baltic states). The modern (Russian, Belarussian or Polish) official names of locations mentioned in this section are given in the first place, while, where applicable, the official interwar names (Lithuanian, Latvian or Estonian) are given in parenthesis.


⚫ After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the issue of these territories was raised by the Estonian and Latvian governments.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} Lithuania has never officially raised the question of its borders and has border treaties with all its neighbors. Only marginal political groups use the "issue of borders" in their political rhetoric.
⚫ In January 1945, some territories of ] were ceded to the ]: the Russian–Estonian boundary in the north of ] was moved westwards by about 12 ]s from its interwar location (which was delimited by the ]); the new boundary (which exists up until these days) there runs along ]. The Russian-Estonian boundary that used to run in the middle of ] did not change, while the boundary south of ] was also moved westwards (by about 25 kilometers). Overall, about 2000 km² of land changed hands, including ] (''Jaanilinn'', the then eastern suburb of ]), the town of ] (''Petseri''), and areas in and around ] (''Irboska''), ] (''Laura''), and ] (''Roodva''), and the ] (''Kulkna'') in southern ].


⚫ == Actual territorial changes after World War II ==
In the late 1944, a territory in northeastern ] of about 1300 square kilometers was ceded to ]. This area includes towns of ] (until ] ''Jaunlatgale'', since 1938 - ''Abrene'') and four rural districts. All these areas during the interwar constituted the eastern part of the ] of ]. They were added to ] of ]. Russian-Latvian boundary in the southeastern Latvia did not change.
]
⚫ This is a list of actual territorial changes that happened when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were incorporated into the Soviet Union and became the Baltic Soviet Socialist Republics. All the boundaries established by these changes exist up to modern days (now they are delimiting the boundaries of independent Baltic states). The modern ], ] or ] official names of locations mentioned in this section are given in the first place, while, where applicable, the official interwar names (Lithuanian, Latvian or Estonian) are given in parentheses.


=== Estonia ===
⚫ After the annexation of ] into the ] in 1940, new eastern boundary of Lithuania (]) was delimited. The original interwar boundary which was delimited in 1920 by ] had not been actual eastern and southern boundary of Lithuania during most of the period because ] annexed the ] in early 1920s. Lithuania, however, continued to regard the 1920 border as the official one, and the Soviets continued to recognise these areas as part of ] rather than ] as well. In 1940, when Lithuania was incorporated into Soviet Union, a new boundary was drawn, which left most of ] in ] and ] (later after ] those areas became part of ]). Some areas of the Vilnius region, however, were added to Lithuanian SSR (including towns of ], ] and the village of ]). Main cities that were recognised by Soviets as a part of Lithuania by the 1920 treaty but were not added to ] includes ] (''Gardinas''), ] (''Lyda''), ] (''Smurgainys''), ] (''Pastoviai''), ] (''Ašmena''), ] (''Breslauja''), ] (''Suvalkai'').
⚫ In January 1945, some territories of ] were ceded to the ]: the Russian–Estonian boundary in the north of ] was moved westwards by about 12 kilometers from its interwar location (which was delimited by the ]); the new boundary (which exists up until these days) runs along ]. The Russian-Estonian boundary that used to run in the middle of ] did not change, while the boundary south of ] was also moved westwards (by about 25 kilometers). Overall, about 2,210&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of land changed hands, including ] (''Jaanilinn'', then eastern suburb of ]), the town of ] (''Petseri''), and areas in and around ] (''Irboska''), ] (''Laura''), and ] (''Roodva''), and the ] (''Kulkna'') in southern ].

=== Latvia ===
In January 1945, a territory in northeastern ] of about 1,300 square kilometers was ceded to ]. This area includes towns of ] (until 1938 ''Jaunlatgale'', since 1938 – ''Abrene'') and four rural districts. All these areas during the interwar constituted the eastern part of the ] of ], while during the Russian Empire they were part of ] of ]. According to the 1935 Latvian census, Russians were 85.8% of the population of the ceded territory, while Latvians were 12.5%.<ref name="gr">{{cite book|title=Энциклопедия Города России|year=2003|publisher=Большая Российская Энциклопедия|location=Moscow|isbn=5-7107-7399-9|page=371}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Latvia's territorial losses: Borders of the Republic of Latvia after 1944|url=http://zagarins.net/jg/jg23/JG23_Balodis.htm|access-date=14 August 2022|language=lv}}</ref> They were added to ] of ]. Russian-Latvian boundary in the southeastern Latvia did not change. Although Poland moved westwards after the war, and now resides over 320 km from the borders of Latvia, traces of its influence continue to remain in Latgale.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How the Baltic States Got Their Shapes|publisher=Deep Baltic|date=24 April 2016|url=https://deepbaltic.com/2016/04/24/how-the-baltic-states-got-their-shapes/|access-date=2021-03-18|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Lithuania ===
⚫ After the annexation of ] into the ] in 1940, a new eastern boundary of Lithuania (]) was delimited. The boundary which was delimited in 1920 by ] had not been the eastern and southern boundary of Lithuania during most of the period because the ] became part of ] in early 1920s. Lithuania, however, continued to claim the 1920 border as official and the Soviets continued to recognise these areas as part of ] rather than ] as well. In 1940, when Lithuania was incorporated into the Soviet Union, a new boundary was drawn, enlarging the ''de facto'' Lithuanian territory, though not to the full extent of the republic's claim. The notable gain was the city of ], which again became Lithuania's capital. The control of the ] was partitioned between the Lithuanian SSR (including towns of ], ] and the village of ]), the ] and ] (the latter territory was returned to Poland after ]). Main cities that were recognised by Soviets as a part of Lithuania by the 1920 treaty but were not added to ] include ] (''Gardinas''), ] (''Lyda''), ] (''Smurgainys''), ] (''Pastovys''), ] (''Ašmena''), ] (''Breslauja''), ] (''Suvalkai'').


==Reasons for the territorial changes== ==Reasons for the territorial changes==
Theoretically, the redistribution of lands after WWII was based on the ethnicity of local populations — some of the territories that had a clear non-Baltic majority were attached to other republics; this, however, also happened to some territories which had a clear ] (many of them were enclaves in areas without a Baltic majority). In Latvia and Estonia, territories which had not belonged to the ]s of Estland, ], ] or ] within the ] were detached. Unlike Soviet Socialist Republics, however, imperial gubernyas were not based on ethnicity, so this historical reasoning is not accepted by Latvians and Estonians. In Lithuania's case, the detaching did not have any historical foundation. The redistribution of lands after World War II was based on the ethnicity of local populations – some of the territories that had a clear non-Baltic majority were attached to other republics; this, however, also happened to some territories which had a clear ]{{fact|date=August 2022}} (many of them were enclaves in areas without a Baltic majority). In Latvia and Estonia, parts of territories which had not belonged to the ], the ], ] or the ] within the ] were detached, but there is no evidence that this was a reason for the transfer of territory. In Lithuania's case, the detaching did not have any historical foundation.


==History of the territories after World War II== == History of the territories after resumption of independence ==
Under the Soviet rule the territories that were added to the ] and the ] were largely ], due to insufficient support for Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian languages, characterized by too few schools with curricula in these languages {{Fact|date=February 2007}}. They saw a significant migration of Russian-speaking people. In some of the territories that became part of ] Lithuanian language schools existed and still exist however. Under the Soviet rule the territories that were added to the ] and the ] were largely ], due to insufficient support for Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian languages, characterized by too few schools with curricula in these languages {{Citation needed|date=February 2007}}. They saw a significant migration of Russian-speaking people.{{fact|date=August 2022}} In some of the territories that became part of ], Lithuanian language schools existed and still exist.<ref name="lt_embassy">{{in lang|pl}} (Lithuanian community in Poland) on the official site of Lithuanian embassy in Poland</ref>


The territories were not returned to the Baltic states after they gained independence and remain parts of ], ] and Poland. The territories were not returned to the Baltic states after they regained independence and remain parts of ], ] and ]. In general, the official government policy of Latvia and Estonia is not to push the issue, but the territories' return is supported by some, usually marginal, organizations inside these countries, such as the ''Abreniešu apvienība'' (Abrenian Union) in Latvia.


=== Estonia ===
⚫ Lithuania immediately after independence recognised the borders established in ] as the borders of Lithuania and signed border agreements with ] and ]. Estonia and Latvia haven't done so, although there were not any official claims over the lands detached in 1944 and 1945. It was assumed that the Russian-Latvian and Russian-Estonian border treaties would be signed in year ]. In ] the opposition, primarily the organization ] (consisting of people deported from ] and surroundings), lobbied for nationwide referendum on such treaty as they saw it as violating the constitution of Latvia (principle of territorial unity) . The government ruled out a possibility of referendum, however the negotiations for border treaty were suspended by Russia after the Latvian parliament issued a declaration stating that Latvia was occupied by the Soviet Union and claiming material compensation from Russia for the period of occupation. Russian-Estonian border treaty had been actually signed in Moscow on ] ], but was not ratified by Russia - official reason for this was the fact that Estonian parliament included a text mentioning the ] (the treaty under which these territories were recognised to Estonia) in the ratification document.
{{main|Territorial issues between Estonia and Russia}}
The ] treaty had been signed in Moscow on 18 May 2005 and ratified by Estonia, but was not ratified by Russia&nbsp;— official reason for this was the fact that Estonia's internal treaty ] legislation passed by parliament mentioned the ] (the treaty under which these territories were originally recognised as Estonian).


On ] ], the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned ], Chargé d'Affaires ''ad interim'' of Estonia in Russia, and handed her a note containing a notice of the intention of the Russian Federation to withdraw its signature and not to become a party to the Treaty Between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia on the Russian-Estonian State Border and to the Treaty Between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia on the Delimitation of the Sea Areas in the Narva Estuary and Gulf of Finland. On 6 September 2005, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Anne Härmaste, Chargé d'Affaires ''ad interim'' of Estonia in Russia, and handed her a note containing a notice of the intention of the Russian Federation to withdraw its signature and not to become a party to the Treaty Between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia on the Russian-Estonian State Border and to the Treaty Between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia on the Delimitation of the Sea Areas in the ] and Gulf of Finland.


The Treaty of Tartu is considered to be a historical document of no legal power by Russia, while in Estonia the situation is somewhat different as officially Estonia is the same state as the interwar Estonia. The official Russian stance is very negative to any such actions<!--what actions?-->. President ] in his speech regarding these territories said that "it goes against the spirit of modern ]" to raise issues like this one, that "Russia as well has lost many of its eternal territories during the breakup of the ], such as ]" and that "They'll get the ears of the dead donkey, and not these territories". The Treaty of Tartu is considered to be a historical document of no legal power by Russia, while in Estonia the situation is different, as officially Estonia considers itself the continuation state of the ] Estonia.


=== Latvia ===
In general, the official government policy of Latvia and Estonia is not to push the issue, but the territories' return is supported by some, usually marginal, organizations inside these countries, such as the ] (sometimes referred to as the ]) in Latvia.
⚫ It was assumed that the Russian-Latvian border treaty would be signed in 2005. In ] the opposition, primarily the organization ''Abreniešu apvienība'' consisting of people deported from ] and surroundings, lobbied for nationwide referendum on such treaty as they saw it as violating the constitution of Latvia (principle of territorial unity).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rusnet.nl/news/2005/04/15/currentaffairs03.shtml |title=article about this |access-date=3 February 2006 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010339/http://www.rusnet.nl/news/2005/04/15/currentaffairs03.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> The government ruled out a possibility of referendum, however the negotiations for border treaty were suspended by Russia after the Latvian parliament issued a declaration stating that Latvia was occupied by the Soviet Union and claiming material compensation from Russia for the period of occupation.

President ] in his speech regarding these territories said that "it goes against the spirit of modern ]" to raise issues like this one, that "Russia as well has lost many of its external territories during the breakup of the ], such as the ]".{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} In an interview with ] in May 2005, Putin addressed the issue of ], when he stated that Russia would not hold any negotiations with Latvia which involved territorial losses for Russia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2005/05/23/Putin-to-Baltic-states-Dead-donkey-ears/92981116890584/|title=Putin to Baltic states: 'Dead donkey ears'|date=23 May 2005|work=]|access-date=2 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kp.ru/daily/23515/40181/|script-title=ru:В "Комсомолку" приехал Путин|last=Sedov|first=Andrey|author2=Kaftan, Larisa |author3=Gamov, Alexander |author4= Baranov, Andrey |newspaper=Kp.ru - |date=23 May 2005|publisher=]|access-date=2 September 2011|language=ru}}</ref>

=== Lithuania ===
Lithuania immediately after independence recognised the borders established in 1940 as the borders of Lithuania and signed border agreements with ] and ]. Relations with neighbouring Russia have been strained since then but maintain diplomatic alliance with Poland and Belarus.


==See also== ==See also==
*] * ]
* ]
*]
* ]
*]
* ]
*]
* ]
* ]


==External links== ==References==
{{reflist}}
⚫ *, supports Latvian viewpoint
⚫ *


== External links ==
⚫ ]

⚫ ]
⚫ * , supports Latvian viewpoint (archived link)
⚫ ]
⚫ *

{{Baltic states}}
{{Territorial evolution of the world}}

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Overview of territorial changes of the Baltic states after 1940
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Territorial changes of the Baltic states refers to the redrawing of borders of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia after 1940. The three republics, formerly autonomous regions within the former Russian Empire and before that of former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and as provinces of the Swedish Empire, gained independence in the aftermath of World War I and the Russian Revolution of 1917. After a two-front independence war fought against both Bolshevist Russian and Baltic German nationalist forces, the countries concluded peace and border treaties with Soviet Russia in 1920. However, with World War II and the occupation and annexation of these republics into the Soviet Union twenty years after their independence, certain territorial changes were made in favour of the Russian SFSR. This has been the source of political tensions after they regained their independence with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Some of the disputes remain unresolved.

The main issues are the territories which were part of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the interwar period, but which became incorporated into the Russian SFSR, Byelorussian SSR and Poland after World War II. In addition, some territories that were not controlled by the independent Baltic republics were also annexed during the Soviet era. The most notable case is Vilnius taken from Poland by the USSR to become the capital of Lithuania.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the issue of these territories was raised by the Estonian and Latvian governments. Lithuania has never officially raised the question of its borders and has border treaties with all its neighbors. Only marginal political groups use the "issue of borders" in their political rhetoric.

Actual territorial changes after World War II

Territorial changes of the Baltic states in 1939–1945

This is a list of actual territorial changes that happened when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were incorporated into the Soviet Union and became the Baltic Soviet Socialist Republics. All the boundaries established by these changes exist up to modern days (now they are delimiting the boundaries of independent Baltic states). The modern Russian, Belarusian or Polish official names of locations mentioned in this section are given in the first place, while, where applicable, the official interwar names (Lithuanian, Latvian or Estonian) are given in parentheses.

Estonia

In January 1945, some territories of Estonian SSR were ceded to the Russian SFSR: the Russian–Estonian boundary in the north of Lake Peipus was moved westwards by about 12 kilometers from its interwar location (which was delimited by the Treaty of Tartu); the new boundary (which exists up until these days) runs along Narva river. The Russian-Estonian boundary that used to run in the middle of Lake Peipus did not change, while the boundary south of Lake Peipus was also moved westwards (by about 25 kilometers). Overall, about 2,210 km of land changed hands, including Ivangorod (Jaanilinn, then eastern suburb of Narva), the town of Pechory (Petseri), and areas in and around Izborsk (Irboska), Lavry (Laura), and Rotovo (Roodva), and the Kolpina Island (Kulkna) in southern Lake Peipus.

Latvia

In January 1945, a territory in northeastern Latvian SSR of about 1,300 square kilometers was ceded to Russian SFSR. This area includes towns of Pytalovo (until 1938 Jaunlatgale, since 1938 – Abrene) and four rural districts. All these areas during the interwar constituted the eastern part of the Abrene County of Latvia, while during the Russian Empire they were part of Ostrovsky Uyezd of Pskov Governorate. According to the 1935 Latvian census, Russians were 85.8% of the population of the ceded territory, while Latvians were 12.5%. They were added to Pskov Oblast of Russian SFSR. Russian-Latvian boundary in the southeastern Latvia did not change. Although Poland moved westwards after the war, and now resides over 320 km from the borders of Latvia, traces of its influence continue to remain in Latgale.

Lithuania

After the annexation of Lithuania into the Soviet Union in 1940, a new eastern boundary of Lithuania (Lithuanian SSR) was delimited. The boundary which was delimited in 1920 by Soviet–Lithuanian Peace Treaty had not been the eastern and southern boundary of Lithuania during most of the period because the Vilnius region became part of Poland in early 1920s. Lithuania, however, continued to claim the 1920 border as official and the Soviets continued to recognise these areas as part of Lithuania rather than Poland as well. In 1940, when Lithuania was incorporated into the Soviet Union, a new boundary was drawn, enlarging the de facto Lithuanian territory, though not to the full extent of the republic's claim. The notable gain was the city of Vilnius, which again became Lithuania's capital. The control of the Vilnius region was partitioned between the Lithuanian SSR (including towns of Švenčionys, Druskininkai and the village of Dieveniškės), the Belarusian SSR and Nazi Germany (the latter territory was returned to Poland after World War II). Main cities that were recognised by Soviets as a part of Lithuania by the 1920 treaty but were not added to Lithuanian SSR include Grodno (Gardinas), Lida (Lyda), Smarhonʹ (Smurgainys), Pastavy (Pastovys), Ashmyany (Ašmena), Braslaw (Breslauja), Suwałki (Suvalkai).

Reasons for the territorial changes

The redistribution of lands after World War II was based on the ethnicity of local populations – some of the territories that had a clear non-Baltic majority were attached to other republics; this, however, also happened to some territories which had a clear Baltic majority (many of them were enclaves in areas without a Baltic majority). In Latvia and Estonia, parts of territories which had not belonged to the Governorate of Estonia, the Riga Governorate, Vitebsk Governorate or the Courland Governorate within the Russian Empire were detached, but there is no evidence that this was a reason for the transfer of territory. In Lithuania's case, the detaching did not have any historical foundation.

History of the territories after resumption of independence

Under the Soviet rule the territories that were added to the Russian SFSR and the Byelorussian SSR were largely Russified, due to insufficient support for Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian languages, characterized by too few schools with curricula in these languages . They saw a significant migration of Russian-speaking people. In some of the territories that became part of Poland, Lithuanian language schools existed and still exist.

The territories were not returned to the Baltic states after they regained independence and remain parts of Russia, Belarus and Poland. In general, the official government policy of Latvia and Estonia is not to push the issue, but the territories' return is supported by some, usually marginal, organizations inside these countries, such as the Abreniešu apvienība (Abrenian Union) in Latvia.

Estonia

Main article: Territorial issues between Estonia and Russia

The Estonia-Russia border treaty had been signed in Moscow on 18 May 2005 and ratified by Estonia, but was not ratified by Russia — official reason for this was the fact that Estonia's internal treaty ratification legislation passed by parliament mentioned the 1920 Treaty of Tartu (the treaty under which these territories were originally recognised as Estonian).

On 6 September 2005, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Anne Härmaste, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Estonia in Russia, and handed her a note containing a notice of the intention of the Russian Federation to withdraw its signature and not to become a party to the Treaty Between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia on the Russian-Estonian State Border and to the Treaty Between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia on the Delimitation of the Sea Areas in the Narva Estuary and Gulf of Finland.

The Treaty of Tartu is considered to be a historical document of no legal power by Russia, while in Estonia the situation is different, as officially Estonia considers itself the continuation state of the interwar Estonia.

Latvia

It was assumed that the Russian-Latvian border treaty would be signed in 2005. In Latvia the opposition, primarily the organization Abreniešu apvienība consisting of people deported from Pytalovo and surroundings, lobbied for nationwide referendum on such treaty as they saw it as violating the constitution of Latvia (principle of territorial unity). The government ruled out a possibility of referendum, however the negotiations for border treaty were suspended by Russia after the Latvian parliament issued a declaration stating that Latvia was occupied by the Soviet Union and claiming material compensation from Russia for the period of occupation.

President Vladimir Putin in his speech regarding these territories said that "it goes against the spirit of modern Europe" to raise issues like this one, that "Russia as well has lost many of its external territories during the breakup of the Soviet Union, such as the Crimea". In an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda in May 2005, Putin addressed the issue of Pytalovo, when he stated that Russia would not hold any negotiations with Latvia which involved territorial losses for Russia.

Lithuania

Lithuania immediately after independence recognised the borders established in 1940 as the borders of Lithuania and signed border agreements with Belarus and Poland. Relations with neighbouring Russia have been strained since then but maintain diplomatic alliance with Poland and Belarus.

See also

References

  1. Энциклопедия Города России. Moscow: Большая Российская Энциклопедия. 2003. p. 371. ISBN 5-7107-7399-9.
  2. "Latvia's territorial losses: Borders of the Republic of Latvia after 1944" (in Latvian). Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  3. "How the Baltic States Got Their Shapes". Deep Baltic. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  4. (in Polish) Społeczność litewska w Polsce (Lithuanian community in Poland) on the official site of Lithuanian embassy in Poland
  5. "article about this". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2006.
  6. "Putin to Baltic states: 'Dead donkey ears'". United Press International. 23 May 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  7. Sedov, Andrey; Kaftan, Larisa; Gamov, Alexander; Baranov, Andrey (23 May 2005). В "Комсомолку" приехал Путин. Kp.ru - (in Russian). Komsomolskaya Pravda. Retrieved 2 September 2011.

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