As Russia invades Ukraine, a Newfoundlander in Estonia watches, and reflects: we were warned

This column is an opinion by Terry McDonald,a Newfoundlander living in Tallinn, Estonia.For more information aboutCBC's Opinion section, please see theFAQ.

It is a day of surreal contrast in Tallinn, Estonia.

Wednesday marks the 104th anniversary of thefounding of the Estonian Republic, complete witha parade, speeches, and the famous Estonian choralsinging.

There is little jubilation, though, as the day also marks a return of Russian imperialism in itsoften-brutal form a form that occupied this country for 48 of those 104 years.

A crowd gathers in the grey drizzle outside the Russian Embassy in the famous Old Town chantsof "Ukraina, Ukraina" echo on the ancient walls, and feet stamp the cobblestone streets.

Here,Estonians, Georgians, Ukrainiansand more gather beneath the giant Russian flag overhangingthenarrow road.

They protest, because they know all too well what it means to share a border withRussia. They have a common history and some unfortunate present of occupation by theircovetous neighbour.

Estonian politicians have been sharing varied messages of "we warned you" includingformerpresident Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who tweeted, "Accepting apologies now here for all the patronizingnonsense from Western Europeans I had to listen to for 31 years telling me we Estonians were 'paranoid'about Russian behaviour."

There is no joy in being correct here, though, only wearydismay.

Estonians knew who Putin was but who would listen? Who would believe?

People here are eager to move on from a past defined by an imperial neighbour.

Any Western newsarticle that refers to Estonia as a "post-Soviet state" can expect scorn, ridicule, and comments like, "Would you refer to 1970s Germany by their 1940s identity?"

Estonia is a modern tech hub, atourism hot spot, and an EU member. More importantly today, Estonia is also an active NATOmember, always meeting its military spending and troop commitments.

This brings somesecurity that other states on the Russian perimeter do not enjoy.

Still, there remains a common understanding of and solidarity with those who have had theirsecurity perpetually menaced by the same neighbour for ages.

As the invasion of Ukrainebegins, I watch Ukrainians, Georgians, and Estonians share this street and chant as one at the giantRussian flag that for all of them looms overhead.

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