
Only NATO can stand in Russia’s way
Tomáš Valášek, a former Ambassador to NATO, now director of Carnegie Europe, discusses the optics, the outcomes and the likely ripple effects on transatlantic relationship of Trump’s rhetoric.
Tomáš Valášek, a former Ambassador to NATO, now director of Carnegie Europe, discusses the optics, the outcomes and the likely ripple effects on transatlantic relationship of Trump’s rhetoric.
With Trump’s victory the US’s standing has already been damaged because it is no longer seen as a dependable or predictable partner.
Sanctions against Russia should be extended for at least 12 months, so that Russia would not have the opportunity to utilise the discussion within the EU in its favour.
“Putin needs to spread chaos. Trump with his talks about how NATO is unnecessary, how everyone should pay for himself, plays into Putin’s cards”, says Garry Kasparov.
NATO cannot do anything to reverse Russia’s gains beyond just matching Russia’s capabilities and trying to close the gap.
Commander of the SOF Juris Ušackis points out that there are various possible threat scenarios facing Latvia, and these units must be ready to react to any and all.
The Russians could have driven deeper into Ukraine and they could have tried to seize Mariupol or driven on land all the way to Crimea or attack Harkhiv, said Daniel Fried the State Department’s Coordinator for Sanctions Policy.
The A2/AD discussion is very useful because it highlights that, yes, overall NATO is superior, but that its forces are in the wrong place and at often too low a readiness.
The West has failed to resolve the underlying source of tension in the Balkans; the mismatch of ethnic and political boundaries.
High costs will force Russia to pay Ukraine to take Crimea back ten years from now.
What is A2/AD or Anti Access Area Denial?
Despite the difficulties, there are countries that see EU accession as the goal of their efforts. Georgia is one of these countries.
Russian military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer says that the opinion differences between the West and Russia are insurmountable.