Arming Ukraine and the Baltics could prove counter-productive in the West’s stand-off with Russia

One of the most controversial issues in the context of the Ukraine crisis is the question of whether the US and its allies in NATO should send weapons to Ukraine and the Baltics to dissuade Russian aggression in the region. Catherine Lefèvre provides an overview of recent developments, arguing that while there are real concerns over the actions of Russia, arming Ukraine and the Baltics carries significant risks and could prove counter-productive.

• Primary Source

ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

ESO: Background information: NATO's military response to Russia (United Kingdom: House of Commons: Library: Briefing Paper No.7276 (04.11.16)) http://www.europeansources.info/record/natos-military-response-to-russia-november-2016-update/

ESO: Background information: Latvia elects staunch NATO supporter as President http://www.europeansources.info/record/latvia-elects-staunch-nato-supporter-as-president/

ESO: Background information: Nordic nations agree on defence cooperation against Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/nordic-nations-agree-on-defence-cooperation-against-russia/

ESO: Background information: Preparing for the Worst: Are Russian and NATO Military Exercises Making War in Europe more Likely? http://www.europeansources.info/record/preparing-for-the-worst-are-russian-and-nato-military-exercises-making-war-in-europe-more-likely/

ESO: Background information: In Eastern Europe, Waiting for NATO http://www.europeansources.info/record/in-eastern-europe-waiting-for-nato/

Deutsche Welle, 19.06.15: NATO commander advocates arming Baltic and Eastern Europe to deter Russia http://dw.com/p/1Fjap

The Guardian, 17.06.15: Nato shows its teeth to Russia with elaborate Baltic training exercise http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/17/nato-russia-elaborate-training-exercise-dangerous-signal

---