Estonian politician (speaks carefully): “We must protect Estonia’s security. That means drawing clear lines. Those who are not willing to integrate, who refuse to learn Estonian, who do not share our values — cannot expect the same rights as those who have been part of this nation for generations.”

Russian-speaking resident of Narva (hesitates, then directly): “I was born here. My parents too. My grandparents came in the 1950s — but I’m not a ‘Soviet person’. I’m from Narva. I pay taxes. My son goes to an Estonian school. But when I speak Estonian on the street, people laugh at my accent. When I speak Russian, they say I’m not a ‘real Estonian’. So what do you mean when you say ‘integration’?”

Estonian politician: “But you hold a Russian passport. You don’t vote in our elections. You –”

Resident (interrupts): “I *could* have an Estonian passport. Do you know how much that costs? How many years I have to wait? How many tests I must pass – while my neighbours, who’ve lived here since 1991, are simply *Estonian* because their grandparents were? You talk about ‘values’. But the first value should be *justice*. Or does that only apply to those who were here before 1940?”

Politician: “I understand your frustration. But you must understand: Russia threatens us. Every day. With cyber-attacks, with propaganda, with aircraft violating our airspace. How can we pretend everything is normal?”

Resident: “So you punish *me* for what *Putin* does? I have no weapon. I don’t want one. I just want my children to have a future here. But you take away our right to vote – and then you wonder why some start thinking: ‘Maybe Russia is better after all.’ You create the very division you fear.”

(Silence. The politician looks out the window, where the Narva River flows – the border with Russia.)

Politician (quieter): “What do you suggest? That we just forget? That we erase what the Soviet Union did to us?”

Resident (thoughtfully): “I suggest you stop asking *where we come from* and start asking *where we want to be.* I am here. My family is here. We *are* Estonia – even if we say it in Russian. But you force us to choose: either deny our language and history, or remain foreigners forever.”

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Sources for this Voice: