Russia's troop shift: New NATO border challenges loom
The Estonian defence minister assessed that if the fighting ceases and the Russian soldiers currently stationed in eastern Ukraine are no longer required there, Putin will be able to use "hundreds of thousands of soldiers" elsewhere. He suggests that these troops might find themselves near his country's borders and other neighbouring states on NATO's eastern flank.
17 November 2024 11:02
In an interview with Newsweek in America, the Estonian defence minister expressed concerns that a ceasefire in Ukraine could present new challenges for NATO.
According to him, Russia plans to triple the number of soldiers near the border with the Baltic countries, potentially reducing the Alliance's response time.
- The (Russian) forces are likely to be relocated to our vicinity - assessed Hanno Pevkur.
"Intimidation or disruption"
- Countries along NATO's eastern flank are among the most fervent supporters of Ukraine - added William Freer from the British think tank Council on Geostrategy. In his opinion, Russia "may be tempted to focus efforts on intimidating or disrupting order in and around the member states on the eastern flank of NATO."
When President-elect Donald Trump returns to the Oval Office, he may push for a ceasefire in the exhausting, two-and-a-half-year conflict in Ukraine.
European officials highlight that an agreement with Putin under Trump's leadership will likely come at Ukraine's expense, and potentially Europe's as well.
Russian soldiers will remain
But as Pevkur stated, Russian soldiers receiving thousands of dollars monthly for fighting in the war will not wish to return to Russia's remote regions to earn even a fraction of that salary.
- This means that the Russian army will have many available forces, which will likely be relocated to our vicinity - said Pevkur.
As "Newsweek" reminds us, Russia currently stations one division close to Estonia, at its base in Pskov. According to new plans, Russia will triple the number of soldiers near the NATO border there.
- This means the risk will be much higher because the time for early warning will be reduced to a minimum - concludes the Estonian minister, adding that "the deterrent message must be so strong that Russia never even considers attacking NATO."
Source: Newsweek/WP
