Aimar Ventsel: What a Russian living in Russia actually thinks about Estonia

Aimar Ventsel uses the example of his relative Natasha, who lives in Russia, to explain how ordinary Russians actually perceive Estonia. Ventsel concludes that the so-called "good Russians" concept is an illusion.

Anthropologist and publicist Aimar Ventsel presents the example of his relative Natasha, who lives in Russia, in his new opinion piece to explain how ordinary Russian residents actually perceive Estonia and Estonians. This picture differs significantly from what some Estonian opinion leaders imagine when they speak of "good Russians."

According to Ventsel, people like Natasha do not change regardless of how much optimists hope for their transformation. Certain worldviews have taken such deep root in Russian society that short-term political pressure or external influences cannot reshape them.

This opinion piece touches on a broader debate that is current in Estonia: how should Estonia approach Russian citizens in general, and whether and to what extent it makes sense to distinguish between "good" and "bad" Russians. Ventsel places his personal experience within this political context and offers a critical perspective on those who believe that dialogue can bring about change in Russian society.