What does Russia want in the Baltic states?

Among practical Russian goals in the region, and particularly in the Baltic states, are: Preventing increased NATO presence (infrastructure and deployment), and NATO membership or closer ties for Finland and Sweden.

Is Russia really a threat to the Baltic states?

At the same time, Russia threatens with military force, using large-scale military exercises on NATO’s borders, military build-up in critical regions on land or at sea; violation of Allies’ airspace in the Baltic region; patrolling of strategic bombers in certain regions; and/or deployment of nuclear missiles close to …

Can NATO deter Russia in the Baltics?

Abstract. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is right to focus on the security of the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, its most exposed members. However, the idea that deterring Russia in the Baltics requires the deployment of significant additional NATO forces there is misguided.

What is the story behind the Baltic NATO membership?

Either way, the story of Baltic NATO membership is almost exclusively told through the lens of major powers, leaving the impression that Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia were mere spectators caught in a geopolitical tussle between the United States and Russia.

How will Russia respond to NATO’s presence in western Russia?

First, Russia will perceive additional NATO forces in the region as presenting an offensive threat and is likely to respond by increasing its own level of forces in western Russia.

What would happen if Russia invades the Baltic states?

Key Point : NATO would be put in a terrible predicament should Russia invade the Baltic states. The current NATO force structure in Eastern Europe would be unable to withstand a Russian invasion into neighboring Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, a new think tank study has concluded.