Tensions between Russia and Latvia have been escalating since escalated during the Moscow to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the war. In particular the two countries have an outstanding territorial dispute. The war of words is now on the rise with Putin today resorting to what Mosnews calls a Soviet-era jibe: warning the Latvians that if they press any territorial demands they will get not land but ?a dead donkey?s ears.? Alex at All About Latvia has some background.