Monday, May 18, 2015

Russian Aggression prompts Baltic Nations to Seek Permanent Deployment of NATO Forces in Their Nations

A Russian air force Mi-26 helicopter over Red Square during 
the Victory Parade marking the 70th anniversary of the 
defeat of the Nazis in World War II. (AP)
Reflecting growing nervousness about recent aggressive moves from Russia, NATO’s three Baltic members — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — said Thursday that they will ask the alliance to permanently deploy thousands of ground troops to their nations, prompting a quick and sharp condemnation from Moscow.
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NATO officials, gathering for a regular ministerial meeting in Turkey, said they were aware of the request and are open to considering it, but that it is too early to say how the alliance will respond.
But Russia bristled at the news, which comes as Moscow and its western neighbors trade charges of interference and provocative acts fueled by the ongoing clash in Ukraine.
Vladimir Chizhov, Russia’s ambassador to the EU, said the Baltic request was being driven by “local politics” that have blown security concerns out of proportion in the three nations — each of which was part of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
“Nobody is threatening the Baltics — at least, nobody that I know of,” Mr. Chizhov told reporters in Brussels.
The U.S. did not respond directly to the request, but President Obama has already authorized a small contingency of U.S. troops to be stationed in each of the Baltic states. And U.S. troops and equipment are currently among some 13,000 NATO forces engaged in a major land exercise in Estonia, widely seen as a sign of support and a cautionary message to Russia.
Read the rest of the story HERE.

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