Baltic States And The Rise Of Russia

Crisis in Ukraine has become a major topic during the first half of 2014. Russia is trying to maintain its buffer states neutral or allied to keep the West and, of course, the NATO at a comfortable distance and at the same time strip Ukrainian people off their right to choose their own path. Nevertheless, the distance won't be as comfortable as it was just quarter of a century ago, before the catastrophic event (according to Russian President Vladimir Putin), the disintegration of Soviet Union. Catastrophe to some, a great victory to 6 mil. people, who regained their independence. The three sister nations first to leave Soviet Empire are now worried seeing the return of a bully that killed, displaced and imprisoned so many of their fellow citizens.

All Baltic states border either Russia or it's ally (or a puppet) - last dictatorship in Europe - Belarus. Southernmost of them, Lithuania, has an honor of being located next to the most militarized territory in Europe -Russian exclave - Kaliningrad (formerly known as Koenigsberg, Capital of East Prussia, after World War II given to Soviet Union). Defended by their small national armies, up to 10 NATO Air Police fighters and 5th Article of NATO, connected with their allies (Poland) by a 50 km. wide, corridor between Belarus and Kaliningrad, Baltic states face aggressive resurgence of Russia.

Meanwhile, French are constructing two "Mistral" class amphibious assault ships for Russian Navy. Brits and Americans stood shocked when Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and incorporated it into Russian Federation after a referendum approved by pretty much all of the far right parties of senior European Union states (last European Parliament elections brought victory for many anti-European parties in Western Europe). Well, at least the governments of EU countries did not approve the annexation of Crimea as legitimate. Both Brits and Americans were committed to protect Ukrainian territorial integrity and independence. Yet there was no attempt to stop Russian troops from seizing control of Crimea. Will Article 5 of North Atlantic Treaty work when Russian forces will try to cause instability, for example, in Estonia: disguised as local Russian speaking self-defense forces? Both Latvia and Estonia has numerous Russian language speakers, who are protected by Russia. And Russia is eager to exercise its self given right to protect Russian speaking communities in the region. Though, those communities need protection from Russia protecting them.

Who will stand behind Baltic Nations, when Russian aggression shifts from Ukraine to the North. Should we wait for Rio Olympics? War in Georgia broke out during Beijing Olympics. Crimea was annexed during Sochi Olympics. How European Union and NATO will reassure and protect their members on the East coast of Baltic Sea?