After officially joining the Western Alliance, Finland is participating for the first time in the “Baltops-23” exercise, which is the largest multinational naval exercise since 1972.
According to military experts who spoke to “Sky News Arabia”, NATO is gradually increasing the number of its forces in Eastern Europe despite Russia’s anger, just as the Ukrainian war is afflicting the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) with fear of this fate. , which prompted them to hide behind NATO.
A new cold war
The current maneuvers, in their 52nd edition, are followed by countries: Turkey, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Swedish Defense Minister Peter Holtkvis said on Sunday that his country and Finland would also join the two-week exercise.
Hultkiss added that what is happening in the region can be defined as a “new cold war” or “a new iron curtain”, considering that what is happening is “a struggle between authoritarian states – in reference to Russia – and a democratic Europe”.
Continue the exercises: “NATO countries are sending a signal on the security of the region thanks to ships that have been mobilized in the Swedish capital, Stockholm.
How many soldiers are involved in the maneuvers?
40 warships from NATO countries. More than 45 war planes. 6,000 sailors, airmen and marines, according to a US Navy statement.
What is the purpose of maneuvers?
The practice of air defense, naval blockade, anti-submarine warfare and amphibious operations in a joint defense environment, according to the US government statement. Ensuring that the forces are ready to act and respond effectively to any potential security threat in the Baltic Sea region, and Commodore Juri Saska, Commander of the Estonian Navy, said in a statement that: “Baltops this year is a historic event for his country. “, adding:” There has never been such a NATO naval presence on Estonian soil before.
NATO grip
According to the “Retem Eurasia” website, the Baltic Sea came under NATO military control after Finland joined the alliance and Sweden submitted a similar request, despite the presence of the Russian fleet of the Baltic.
The Russian website added that after Finland joined, Sweden and Denmark started taking steps to militarize the Baltic islands under various pretexts, including that the island of Bornholm, for example, was in 1946 under Soviet occupation, and that the signed agreements were therefore concluded under pressure and became invalid.
He explained that “the curtain was lifted on the idea of ​​turning the Baltic Sea into an inland sea for NATO in 2018, and since then Britain, Denmark and Norway have been involved in a program to provide their Aegis combat marines”. Information system.”
US political analyst Seymour Hersh says: “After Norway’s support for Sweden, NATO is tightening its grip on exits leading to Russia’s northern borders after gaining a foothold to penetrate the Barents Sea and the region arctic, that is, the main base of the Russian army. Northern Fleet,” according to the report.
Ukrainian and Baltic conflict
In this regard, US military expert Peter Alex says: “After the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and with the current Ukrainian war, the Baltic States were terrified, fearing the same fate, having enjoyed their independence of the Soviet Union for more than 3 years. decades.”
He adds to “Sky News Arabia” that these countries are inhabited by many Russian speakers, and this is what makes it a hot spot that can explode at any time, especially when NATO forces converge and the bear Russian stirs in the basin of this sea.
The Baltic countries have intensified their military preparations and preparedness, with the support of NATO, in recent years, in anticipation of a possible Russian intervention. These countries are preparing for any Russian attack and recruiting young people from the age of 19, and they have also psychologically mobilized the population in the event of a Russian movement. Moscow has in recent years directed hostile rhetoric at the Russian minority in Lithuania and Latvia.
As for the British expert, Michael Clarke, he told Sky News Arabia that “Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, after the war in Ukraine, are concerned about their isolation from Europe and their blockade from the Russians and of their allies in Belarus, as the three countries focus on what Moscow is doing in neighboring Belarus and what it means for its security. There are thousands of Russian soldiers on the territory of Minsk.
As he said, “Russia was opportunistic and ready to challenge Europe and NATO and threaten the security of all three countries. If it succeeds in controlling Ukraine, it will encourage it to increase pressure on the Baltic States in the years to come, which has prompted these countries to hide behind the military might of NATO.”
He continued: “For this reason, the three countries are seeking to increase defense spending, and Washington is calling for a permanent military presence and greater reinforcements for NATO in the region.”
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