Putin is ‘real danger’ to Baltics, EU officials warn

EurActiv and other sources reports on concerns raised by politicians in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, NATO officials and United Kingdom Defence Secretary Michael Fallon in February 2015 of the actions of Russia towards its near neighbours - in the context of the problems in Ukraine.

Russia posed a 'real and present danger' to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Michael Fallon, the British Defence Secretary said.

Daniel Steed, Lecturer in Strategy and Defence at University of Exeter, wrote in The Conversation that Russia was ramping up its strategic challenge to Western weakness. Russia believed its national interests had been ignored for too long. This was particularly true with regard to its concern about expanding NATO membership to include countries on its borders in Eastern Europe.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 19.02.15: Michael Fallon warns of Russian threat to Baltic states http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31528981

BBC News, 19.02.15: Ukraine crisis: Russia's 'surprise' at Michael Fallon comments http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31542375

ESO: Background information: The reasons the Baltics still fear Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-reasons-the-baltics-still-fear-russia/

NATO: News, 05.02.15: Defence Ministers agree to strengthen NATO’s defences, establish Spearhead Force http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_117188.htm

Sputnik International, 19.02.15: UK Defense Secretary Claims Russia Tests NATO by 'Pressuring' Baltic States http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150219/1018478931.html

The Conversation, 20.02.15: Russian planes hover off Cornwall with a message for Europe and NATO https://theconversation.com/russian-planes-hover-off-cornwall-with-a-message-for-europe-and-nato-37821

ESO: Background information: The EU and Russia: before and beyond the crisis in Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-eu-and-russia-before-and-beyond-the-crisis-in-ukraine/

Deutsche Welle, 19.02.15: UK Defense Minister Fallon calls Putin a 'real and present danger' to Baltics http://dw.de/p/1Eebh

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