Estonia Commemorates teh Historic Tartu Peace Treaty: A Milestone in Independence
On 2 February, Estonia marks the anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty, a pivotal agreement that ended the Estonian War of Independence, established the nation’s eastern border, and secured Soviet Russia’s recognition of Estonia’s sovereignty. Signed in 1920, this treaty remains a cornerstone of Estonian history, even as its promises were tragically ignored by the Soviet Union two decades later.
The Tartu Peace Treaty was the culmination of a hard-fought struggle that began in november 1918,just months after Estonia declared independence on 24 February 1918. The conflict erupted in the aftermath of World War I, as Soviet forces sought to reclaim the newly independent nation following the collapse of Imperial Germany.
For over a year, Estonian forces, bolstered by volunteers and support from Finland, the United Kingdom, and anti-communist White Russians, resisted the Soviet advance. By November 1919, the Estonian government, led by Jaan Tõnisson, initiated peace talks with Soviet Russia. Negotiations, which began on 5 December, were fraught with territorial disputes, particularly around the contested region of Narva. Despite ongoing hostilities,a ceasefire was declared on 3 January 1920,paving the way for the treaty’s signing.
On 2 February 1920, in the city of Tartu, Estonian statesman Jaan Poska and Russian diplomat Adolf Joffe formalized the agreement. The treaty not only delineated Estonia’s eastern border but also affirmed Soviet russia’s recognition of Estonian independence in perpetuity. As Poska declared, “Today is the most important day of the past 700 years for Estonia, because today, for the first time, Estonia alone will determine the future fate of its people.”
The treaty’s Article 2 underscored this newfound autonomy: “Russia unreservedly recognises the independence and autonomy of the State of Estonia, and renounces voluntarily and for ever all rights of sovereignty formerly held by Russia over the Estonian people and territory.”
However, Poska’s cautious words foreshadowed future challenges. “As no country located next to such menacing neighbours can be confident in its independence, it must be alert at all times,” he warned. His prescience was tragically validated in 1940, when the Soviet Union annexed Estonia, disregarding the treaty’s guarantees.
Today, the tartu Peace Treaty remains a symbol of Estonia’s resilience and determination.Its centennial in 2020 was commemorated with events such as the display of the original treaty at the Estonian National Museum and wreath-laying ceremonies at the War of independence memorial site.
Key points of the Tartu Peace Treaty
Table of Contents
- Russia’s Forgotten promise: the Treaty of Tartu and estonia’s struggle for Independence
- The Treaty of Tartu: A Landmark Agreement
- A Step Towards Self-Determination
- The Legacy of the treaty of Tartu
- Conclusion
- Estonia and Russia: A Border Dispute Decades in the Making
- Finland and Soviet Russia’s Treaty of Tartu
- The Tartu Peace Treaty’s Legacy in International Law
- Key Comparisons: Tartu Peace Treaty and Finland-Soviet Russia Treaty
- Interview with Urmas Reinsalu on the Tartu Peace Treaty and Estonia-Russia Border Issues
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Signed | 2 February 1920 |
| Parties | Republic of Estonia and Soviet Russia |
| Main Provisions | Recognition of Estonian independence, establishment of eastern border |
| Ceasefire Effective | 3 January 1920 |
| Ratification | Exchanged in Moscow on 30 March 1920 |
The Tartu Peace Treaty stands as a testament to Estonia’s enduring spirit and its unwavering commitment to self-determination. As the nation reflects on this historic milestone, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and unity in safeguarding independence.
Russia’s Forgotten promise: the Treaty of Tartu and estonia’s struggle for Independence
The Treaty of tartu, signed in 1920 between Estonia and Soviet Russia, marked a pivotal moment in international law and estonia’s fight for sovereignty. Yet, despite its significance, Russia’s commitment to the treaty was short-lived, leading to decades of occupation and struggle for the Baltic nation.
The Treaty of Tartu: A Landmark Agreement
The Treaty of Tartu, also known as the Tartu Peace Treaty, was a groundbreaking agreement that not only recognized Estonia’s independence but also set a precedent for the right of nations to self-determination. Under the treaty, Estonia was freed from all obligations towards Russia, and Russia was required to return property evacuated from Estonia during the war.Additionally, Estonia was granted 15 million gold roubles from the Russian gold fund, a meaningful sum at the time.
One of the most notable provisions of the treaty was the right of Estonians living in Russia to move to Estonia. This clause allowed 38,000 Estonians to opt for Estonian citizenship, a critical step in reuniting families and communities. At the end of the War of Independence, there were approximately 320 Estonian settlements or centers in Russia, home to around 190,000 Estonians.
A Step Towards Self-Determination
The Treaty of Tartu was the first international act to explicitly mention the right of peoples to decide their own destiny. This principle was later echoed in other treaties between Russia and its western neighbors, solidifying the concept of self-determination in international law.
Though, the Soviet Union’s commitment to the treaty was fleeting. Despite recognizing estonia’s independence “in perpetuity,” the Soviet Union forcibly and illegally occupied the Republic of Estonia in 1940. After a brief period of german occupation during World war II, the Soviet Union reoccupied Estonia in 1944, disregarding the promises made in the Treaty of Tartu.
The Legacy of the treaty of Tartu
The Treaty of Tartu remains a symbol of Estonia’s resilience and its fight for independence. The bold green line marking Estonia’s border according to the treaty serves as a reminder of the nation’s rightful boundaries and the promises made by Russia.
| Key Points of the Treaty of Tartu |
|—————————————|
| Recognized Estonia’s independence |
| Granted 15 million gold roubles |
| Allowed Estonians in Russia to move to Estonia |
| First international act to mention self-determination |
Conclusion
The Treaty of Tartu was a beacon of hope for Estonia and a milestone in international law.Yet,Russia’s failure to uphold its commitments underscores the challenges faced by smaller nations in asserting their sovereignty. As Estonia continues to honour the legacy of the treaty, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting the rights of nations to determine their own destiny.For more insights into Estonia’s history and its fight for independence,explore Estonian World’s coverage of the Treaty of Tartu and its enduring impact.
Estonia and Russia: A Border Dispute Decades in the Making
Estonia, a proud member of the European Union, remains the only EU state sharing a land border with Russia without a valid border treaty. this unresolved issue traces its roots back to the Soviet era and continues to shape diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The Legacy of the Tartu Peace Treaty
The Tartu Peace Treaty of 1920, a cornerstone of Estonian independence, established the country’s eastern border. However, after the Soviet Union reoccupied Estonia in 1944, it unilaterally altered the border, incorporating parts of northeastern and southeastern Estonia into soviet territory. Despite the dissolution of the USSR,russia,as its legal successor,has never recognized the Tartu Peace Treaty or returned the disputed lands.
A rocky Path to ratification
In May 2005, Estonia and Russia signed a border treaty, with Estonia conceding the occupied territories. However, the Russian Federation withdrew its signature after the Estonian parliament ratified the treaty, citing the preamble’s reference to the Tartu Peace Treaty. This move left the border issue unresolved.
The two countries attempted to resolve the dispute again on February 17, 2014, by signing a new border treaty. Yet, nearly a decade later, neither nation has ratified the agreement. This lack of progress leaves Estonia in a unique and precarious position as the only EU member state without a formalized border treaty with Russia.
The Current State of the Border
Today, the Estonia-Russia border remains marked by physical barriers and ancient tensions. The absence of a ratified treaty underscores the complexities of post-Soviet geopolitics and the lingering impact of historical grievances.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Disputed Territories | northeastern and southeastern parts of Estonia |
| Historical Treaty | Tartu Peace Treaty (1920) |
| First Border Treaty | Signed in May 2005, later withdrawn by Russia |
| Second Border Treaty | Signed on February 17, 2014, remains unratified |
| Current Status | No valid border treaty between Estonia and Russia |
The Road Ahead
The unresolved border issue highlights the challenges of reconciling historical claims with modern diplomacy. for Estonia, the lack of a ratified treaty is a reminder of its complex past and the ongoing struggle to assert its sovereignty.As the only EU state without a formalized border agreement with Russia, Estonia’s situation serves as a microcosm of the broader tensions between Eastern Europe and its eastern neighbor. The path to resolution remains uncertain, but the stakes are clear: a ratified border treaty would not only solidify Estonia’s territorial integrity but also contribute to regional stability.For now, the border remains a symbol of unfinished business, a line drawn by history yet to be fully accepted by the present.The Tartu Peace treaty, signed on 2 February 1920, holds a unique place in the annals of international law. As Urmas Reinsalu,the then Estonian foreign minister,remarked on its 100th anniversary,“The Tartu Peace Treaty had a pioneering significance in the global system of international law because it was the first international act in the world that explicitly cited the concept of the peoples’ right to self-determination.” This groundbreaking treaty not only shaped Estonia’s sovereignty but also served as a template for similar agreements between Russia and its neighbors, including Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, and Poland.Reinsalu emphasized the treaty’s enduring validity, stating, “The position of the Republic of Estonia has been and remains clear: the Tartu Peace Treaty is valid, and it remains unchanged from the perspective of our statehood by the fact that it was violated by the legal predecessor of the Russian Federation, the soviet Union with its illegal annexation of the Republic of Estonia in 1940.” This assertion underscores Estonia’s unwavering stance on its historical and legal foundations.
Finland and Soviet Russia’s Treaty of Tartu
Lesser known is the fact that Finland and Soviet Russia also signed their own Treaty of Tartu (“Tarton rauha” in Finnish) on 14 October 1920.this agreement, concluded after nearly five months of negotiations, confirmed the border between the two nations following the Finnish civil war and Finnish volunteer expeditions in russian East Karelia.The treaty was signed in Tartu at the Estonian Students’ Society building, a location steeped in historical significance.However, the treaty’s legacy was marred when the Soviet Union violated it in 1939 by initiating the Winter War against Finland. This breach highlighted the fragility of international agreements in the face of geopolitical ambitions.
The Tartu Peace Treaty’s Legacy in International Law
The Tartu Peace Treaty is widely regarded as a cornerstone in the evolution of international law. By explicitly recognizing the right to self-determination, it set a precedent for future treaties and legal frameworks. Reinsalu noted,“The Tartu Peace Treaty,and also the treaties between Russia and its neighbours Lithuania,Latvia,Finland and Poland that used it as a template,constituted a crucial step towards peoples’ right to self-determination becoming a part of international law.”
Key Comparisons: Tartu Peace Treaty and Finland-Soviet Russia Treaty
| Aspect | Tartu Peace Treaty (Estonia) | Treaty of Tartu (Finland) |
|————————–|———————————-|——————————-|
| Signing Date | 2 February 1920 | 14 October 1920 |
| Key Focus | estonian sovereignty | Border confirmation |
| Violation | Soviet Union in 1940 | Soviet Union in 1939 |
| Historical Context | Post-World War I | Post-Finnish civil war |
The Tartu Peace Treaty remains a testament to the enduring struggle for sovereignty and the recognition of fundamental rights in international law.Its legacy continues to resonate, not only for Estonia but also for nations worldwide that seek to uphold the principles of self-determination and justice.
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Interview with Urmas Reinsalu on the Tartu Peace Treaty and Estonia-Russia Border Issues
Editor: Mr. Reinsalu, the tartu Peace Treaty is frequently enough hailed as a landmark in international law. Could you elaborate on it’s meaning
