The unexpected end of the Cold War in 1991 was marked by the dissolution of the Soviet Union into 15 free and independent states. Amid this newfound independence, these countries, which were once subject to Soviet control, were faced with the presence of Russian troops in their territories — some of which were still hosting Russian military bases. There was also a question about the future of Russian veterans and retirees living in some of the countries and who did not want to return to Russia. In 1993, the United Nations sent me to help the three Baltic countries, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, come to an agreement with Russia on those matters. This is my story.

The unexpected end of the Cold War in 1991 was marked by the dissolution of the Soviet Union into 15 free and independent states. Amid this newfound independence, these countries, which were once subject to Soviet control, were faced with the presence of Russian troops in their territories — some of which were still hosting Russian military bases. There was also a question about the future of Russian veterans and retirees living in some of the countries and who did not want to return to Russia. In 1993, the United Nations sent me to help the three Baltic countries, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, come to an agreement with Russia on those matters. This is my story.

The unexpected end of the Cold War in 1991 was marked by the dissolution of the Soviet Union into 15 free and independent states. Amid this newfound independence, these countries, which were once subject to Soviet control, were faced with the presence of Russian troops in their territories — some of which were still hosting Russian military bases. There was also a question about the future of Russian veterans and retirees living in some of the countries and who did not want to return to Russia. In 1993, the United Nations sent me to help the three Baltic countries, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, come to an agreement with Russia on those matters. This is my story.