NATO’s Eastern Flank – a new paradigm

The decisions made at the NATO summit in Warsaw mark a paradigm shift in the policy of strengthening the alliance’s presence on its eastern flank. NATO is shifting from a policy of reassuring its allies (which was agreed upon in 2014) to taking its first steps in a policy of deterrence towards Russia. Following the decisions made in Warsaw, Poland has secured a large US military presence on its territory. The Warsaw summit took also the demands of the Baltic states into account. Nevertheless, it may be expected that Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will put forward proposals of a further enhancement of NATO land, maritime and air defence forces in their territories. Initiatives that Romania put forward before the summit have not received NATO’s full support but it will gradually increase its military presence also in the Black Sea region.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Merkel backs NATO buildup in Eastern Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/merkel-backs-nato-buildup-in-eastern-europe/

ESO: Background information: NATO Secretary General welcomes frank and open discussions in NATO-Russia Council http://www.europeansources.info/record/nato-secretary-general-welcomes-frank-and-open-discussions-in-nato-russia-council/

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