In yet another troubling move for world peace, Russia is reviewing its 1991 decision to recognize the Baltic states as independent, according to Russia’s state news service. NATO is responding to the potential danger.
The decision to evaluate the recognition of the Baltic nations’ independence comes after the Prosecutor General’s Office ruled that Crimea was given to the Ukraine illegally in 1954. This will likely concern the countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
NATO has held several meetings over the past months to address the threat Russia poses and to let the Baltic countries know that NATO will come to their aid. Poland and Lithuania confirmed in June that U.S. warehouses of military weapons in the Baltic states were being deliberated.
NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Phillip M. Breedlove said during time in Lithuania that Russia’s actions were dangerous. “We cannot fully be certain what Russia will do next,” he said, “and we cannot fully grasp Putin’s intent but what we can and are doing is learning from his actions. In addition what we see suggests growing Russian capabilities, significant military modernisation and ambitious strategic intent.”
He also said, “In the east, Russia is blatantly attempting to change the rules and principles that have been the foundation of European security for decades. This challenge that’s posed by resurgent Russia is global, not regional, and is enduring, not temporary.”
A set of important NATO military drills have been led by the U.S. in eastern Europe during 2015, including thousands of American, British, and other allied troops.
Pentagon officials unveiled a plan in June to place battle tanks, significant weapons, and around 5,000 troops to the area to address the possible threat Russia poses to the Ukraine and NATO member states.
The concern over Russia’s re-evaluation of the Baltic states’ independence has led Washington to station major military equipment in NATO states for the first time.
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