NATO sees no signs that Moscow is poised to order an invasion of the Baltic states nor does it expect an attack on NATO soil by Russia, one of the alliance’s top officials has revealed on Monday as tensions mount in Eastern Europe.
Admiral Rob Bauer, the chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, noted in his statements to the Lithuanian press that despite a number of recent warnings that Russia could be on the warpath, NATO does not see Moscow’s intent to launch an offensive – either directly or via Belarus – against the northeastern European nations.
Weighing in on whether Moscow is planning to launch an attack, Bauer said one has to consider militarily whether the posture of Russian troops in Belarus is a threat to the Baltic states and, especially to Lithuania.
However, he pointed out that what’s also important is to look at the intent as well, noting there’s not one indication that Russia or Belarus intent to hurt the Baltic states and that, in the military sense, Russia’s military buildup in Belarus – some 30,000 Russian troops are now in Belarus- in recent weeks could be viewed as a combination of capabilities.
Bauer’s words were echoed by Lithuania’s Chief of Defence Valdemaras Rupšys, who stressed that although the Russian military buildup is changing the security situation, there’s no direct threat at this stage both tactically and operationally.
Both Bauer’s and Rupšys’s statements are significant toning down of the rhetoric considering the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s statement shortly before, accusing Moscow of sending the largest combat units- including Spetsnaz special forces – in Belarus since the end of the Cold War.
The increased presence of the Russian troops in Belarus coincides with the upcoming ‘Union Resolve 2022’ joint drills, starting February 10, that an unnamed US State Department official cited last month as being possibly linked to Moscow’s invasion plans of Ukraine.
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