Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Baltic States

02/02/2026

On the occasion of the Latvian launch of her book, Politics of Uncertainty, last Friday, historian Una Bergmane sat down with us to discuss the Baltic role in the end of the Cold War, moments when history could have gone differently, and why international norms matter:

▶️ When people think about the end of the Cold War, they often think of Berlin. Why look to the Baltics instead?

💬 The German story is an important part of the end of the Cold War, but it is only one of many. We understand history and each other better when we broaden the perspectives from which we view it, rather than limiting ourselves to big-power and imperial narratives.

▶️ Were there moments when the situation could have gone very differently?

💬 Yes. The Soviet attempt in January 1991 to stop the Baltic drive for independence by force was a key moment, when hardliners in Moscow were testing the possibility of a wider crackdown. If it had succeeded in the Baltic states, it likely would have marked the end of perestroika reforms across the USSR.

▶️ What surprised you most in your archival research?

💬 I was struck by how important the Baltic question was to major international players Washington, Bonn, Paris, London, and of course Moscow. And how surprisingly important for the West was the fact that they not recognised Baltic 1940 annexation by the USSR as legal.

▶️ What should readers take away from your book today?

💬 Sadly, it feels like my book describes a different world one that no longer exists. It was an imperfect world, but there was still more respect for international norms than there is today. Both Moscow and Washington at least wanted to appear committed to international law and human rights. The situation now is very different, but I hope readers come away remembering that what we are living through today is not normal and that we should, and can, strive for a return to normalcy.

📘 Interested in learning more? Get a free copy of the book by writing to [email protected].

28/01/2026

What do the Barricades mean 35 years later?

This week in Riga, scholars, diplomats, and the public came together to reflect on one of the defining moments of Latvia’s modern history and on why its lessons still matter today. A full audience gathered for the Latvian launch of Una Bergmane’s Politics of Uncertainty, published with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Baltic States.

We are especially grateful to our speakers and panelists: Una Bergmane, Agnese Lāce , PaulsRaudseps, Dainis Īvāns, and Ineta Ziemele, as well as to all participants who made the discussion so rich and timely.

📖 Read more about the event and the discussion here: https://baltic.fes.de/article/35-years-after-the-barricades-history-uncertainty-and-latvias-place-in-the-world.html

26/01/2026

ENGLISH BELOW

Vēsturnieces Unas Bergmanes grāmata "Nenoteiktības politika: ASV, Baltijas jautājums un Padomju Savienības sabrukums" ir fundamentāls pētījums par Baltijas valstu ceļu uz neatkarību, manevrējot starp pasaules lielvarām. Pētījuma pamatā ir plašs arhīva materiālu klāsts no ASV, Francijas, Baltijas valstīm un no Krievijas, kas ļauj uz Baltijas valstu neatkarības centieniem paskatīties no daudzu valstu un to politiķu perspektīvas. Grāmatas vadmotīvs ir nenoteiktība, kas tobrīd valdīja kā lielvaru attiecībās, tā attiecībās ar Baltijas valstīm, veidojoties jaunai pasaules kārtībai.

Grāmatas tulkojumu latviešu valodā ir izdevis Frīdriha Eberta fonds Baltijas valstīs. No angļu valodas izdevumu tulkojusi Ieva Lešinska.

Šī grāmata nav paredzēta pārdošanai, taču tā būs pieejama kopā ar citu grāmatu iegādi četrās Rīgas grāmatnīcās:
- "Aminori";
- "Jānis Roze" grāmatnīca K. Barona ielā 5;
- Latvijas Laikmetīgās mākslas centrs (un interneta veikals),
- grāmatnīca "Bolderāja".

Mūsu partneri paši nosaka grāmatas iegādes nosacījumus. Grāmatu skaits ir ierobežots. Pētnieki un institūcijas pēc grāmatas dabūšanas var vērsties fonda Rīgas birojam. Grāmata tiks nogādāta arī Latvijas bibliotēkām.

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Historian Una Bergmane book "Politics of Uncertainty: The US, the Baltic Question, and the Collapse of the Soviet Union" is a fundamental study of the Baltic states' path to independence, maneuvering between world powers. The study is based on a wide range of archival materials from the US, France, the Baltic states, and Russia, which allow us to look at the Baltic states' independence efforts from the perspective of many countries and their politicians. The core theme of the book is the uncertainty that prevailed at the time in relations between the great powers, as well as in their relations with the Baltic states, as a new world order was taking shape.

The Latvian translation of the book was published by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in the Baltic States. It was translated from English by Ieva Lešinska.

This book is not intended for sale, but it will be available together with other book purchases at four bookstores in Riga:
- "Aminori";
- "Jānis Roze" bookstore on Krišjāņa Barona Street 5;
- The Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art (and its webstore),
- bookstroe "Bolderāja".

Our partners determine the conditions for purchasing books. The number of books is limited. Researchers and institutions can contact the foundation's Riga office after receiving the book. The book will also be delivered to libraries in Latvia.

22/01/2026

Did you know that Baltic independence nearly became a crisis between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1990?

📘 The book Politics of Uncertainty reconstructs this moment using archival sources from both sides of the Iron Curtain, revealing how close Baltic freedom came to being sidelined by global geopolitics.
👉 Join us for the opening event and book launch of the Latvian edition tomorrow, on 23rd of January, 14:30: https://fb.me/e/8vUwSFw2C

When Lithuania declared independence in March 1990, it was celebrated publicly in the West. Behind the scenes, however, it triggered alarm in Washington, Moscow, and Western European capitals. The Cold War was not yet over, and Western leaders were in fragile negotiations with the Soviet Union over German reunification, NATO, and economic aid.

For Mikhail Gorbachev, keeping the Baltic republics inside the USSR was seen as essential to preserving the state. Lithuania’s move led to an economic blockade and rising pressure, creating fears of escalation and violence.

This left the United States and its allies walking a tightrope. While they had never recognized the Soviet annexation of the Baltics, they also worried that pushing too hard might destabilize Gorbachev or empower hardliners. As a result, Western diplomats urged Baltic leaders to slow down - a painful request after decades of occupation.

📘 Interested in learning more? Get a free copy of the book by writing to [email protected].

17/01/2026

Thirty-five years ago, unarmed civilians stood between Soviet troops and their newly declared independence.

👇

2026 marks 35 years since the Baltic barricades.

In January 1991, people in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia built makeshift barricades around parliaments, television towers, and key infrastructure, preparing to defend their freedom unarmed.

How Europe reached this moment:

🗓️ 1940
The Baltic states are occupied and forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union under the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. Most Western governments never recognize this annexation.

🗓️ Late 1980s
Gorbachev’s reforms (perestroika and glasnost) open political space. Mass movements in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania - part of what became known as the Singing Revolution - use history, law, and non-violent mobilization to challenge Soviet rule. They go further and faster than any other Soviet republic.

🗓️ March–May 1990
Lithuania becomes the first Soviet republic to declare the restoration of its independence. Estonia and Latvia soon proclaim a transition toward full sovereignty.

🗓️ 1990
Moscow denounces these moves and imposes an economic blockade on Lithuania while pressuring all three Baltic governments. What had seemed a regional crisis becomes a serious international concern.

🗓️ January 1991
As Soviet troops and special units move against strategic sites, the risk of violent repression becomes real.
🇱🇹In Lithuania, Soviet forces attack civilians defending the Vilnius television tower and other sites, killing 14 people and injuring hundreds.
🇱🇻In Latvia, tens of thousands of people build and guard barricades throughout Riga to protect parliament, media, and infrastructure.
🇪🇪In Estonia, authorities and citizens organize defensive measures and political resistance, helping deter a similar crackdown.
For a few days, the future of Baltic independence and the stability of the Soviet Union itself hangs in the balance.

👉 Why this still matters, 35 years later
The Baltic experience reminds us that the end of the Cold War was not peaceful by default, nor inevitable. Independence was won through courage, mass participation, and the willingness of ordinary people to place their bodies between tanks and democracy.

This history and the international dilemmas surrounding it will be discussed at the upcoming book launch of Una Bergmane’s acclaimed book Politics of Uncertainty: The United States, the Baltic Question, and the Collapse of the Soviet Union.
📣Join us: https://fb.me/e/8vUwSFw2C

👉 Do you remember where you were in 1991?

Picture: Unarmed civilians defend the Lithuanian Press House from Soviet Airborne Forces troopers, January 1991. Credit: Singing Revolution Lithuania — Lithuanian Theatre, Music and Cinema Museum (LTMKM), CC BY 4.0

23/12/2025

FES Baltic States wishes you a warm and bright Christmas season and happy New Years!

03/10/2025

Today is the 35th Anniversary of the Day of German Unity!

35 years ago today, both German states that existed from 1949 to 1989 were unified! We congratulate Germans and their friends all around the world! 🇩🇪

18/09/2025

18/08/2025

Dear partners and friends!
The FES office in Riga is looking for a new colleague to join our team, working on projects related to public policy issues.
If you are the right person – or know someone who would be a great fit – please send your application (CV and motivation letter) to the contact details provided in the job advertisement below.