NATO allies admitted that Poland and the Baltic states had been right all along about the Russian threat. However, it seems that it is more difficult for them to accept that these countries now have the right answers to the questions of how to deal with Russia, estimates Tony Lawrence of the International Center for Defense and Security (ICDS) in an interview with POP .
NATO’s focus has clearly shifted east and north, also reflected in Finland’s accession and Sweden’s expected membership in the Alliance
– points out the ICDS analyst.
Allies agree that strengthening the northeastern flank is NATO’s top priority
he adds.
However, the PAP interlocutor points out that “from the perspective of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, the implementation of policies to strengthen this part of the Alliance has been slower and less comprehensive than expected.”
For example, the changes in NATO’s Forward Presence are evolutionary, not revolutionary
– say.
Commenting on the period between the last NATO summit in Madrid and July 11-12 in Vilnius, Lawrence emphasizes that “NATO – and the European Union – have remained strong and united despite Russian aggression against Ukraine and Russia itself became militarily weaker, albeit no less unpredictable.
The potential deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus poses a clear threat to NATO’s northern flank; in a broader perspective, the war against Ukraine, which led to the downgrading of the European security system, remains a threat
he adds.
Speaking about expectations for next week’s NATO summit, the ICDS analyst points to the need to take all necessary steps to fulfill the commitments made a year ago.
It will also be crucial to agree on new defense plans, to commit to increasing defense resources and deploying more troops to the Alliance’s borders.
– indicates.
The second important point will determine NATO’s role in the long-term defense of Ukraine
– says the PAP interlocutor.
First, it is necessary to meet Kiev’s military needs in order to regain the territorial integrity of the state, which is a prerequisite for future membership. This could be, for example, a commitment to arm Ukraine for as long as necessary, training Ukrainian soldiers, increasing the production capacity of the defense sector or transferring mobile, tactical ATACMS missile systems to Kiev.
Lauren sums up.
Second – and this is the most controversial and difficult part – more is expected than a vague promise of membership in the indefinite future. This could be a formal declaration that Ukraine will join NATO, a continuation of the process without a Membership Action Plan (MAP) or a presentation of a schedule regarding the development of the situation on the fronts in Ukraine. Another step could be the creation of the NATO-Ukraine Council, which would bind the country more closely to Alliance structures.
– explains the ICDS security expert.
kk/PAP
Source: wPolityce