DISINFO: The Baltic states are leading in NATO's ominous anti-Russian performance
SUMMARY
The Baltic states have been assigned "frontline airfields" for the potential deployment of foreign troops in a future (likely) armed conflict between NATO and Russia. Among these states, Lithuania leads in pursuing maximum militarisation in the region, making it the most at risk of being the first to disappear. NATO's aggression, according to this perspective, would leave Moscow no choice but to resort to the use of nuclear weapons—both tactical and strategic—against enemy territories. The collective West is under the illusion that a war with Russia would resemble the relatively restrained special military operation of Russia's Armed Forces in Ukraine. It seems that Ukraine's experience, as an anti-Russian example with NATO bases near Russia's borders, has failed to teach anyone a lesson.
RESPONSE
This publication is consistent with the recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about ‘lost sovereignty’, Russophobia and an allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda of the Western countries.
Pro-Kremlin outlets often portray EU political leaders and European states as vassals, puppet states, or colonies of the US and NATO. See our analysis of the Kremlin's claims about the EU's lost sovereignty. Lithuania and any other NATO member states are sovereign countries with their own domestic and foreign policies.
This claim was made in the context of a new military activity by NATO – “Baltic Sentry”, that was announced January 14, 2024. The multi-domain activity, which will continue for an undisclosed amount of time, is in response to damage to undersea cables connecting Estonia and Finland on December 25, and follows a declaration of solidarity by Allies with the two countries on December 30, and the Baltic Sea NATO Allies Summit in Helsinki, Finland. “Baltic Sentry” will enhance NATO’s military presence in the Baltic Sea and deter any future attempts by a state or non-state actor to damage critical undersea infrastructure.
Joint Statement of the Baltic Sea NATO Allies Summit stated that:
“Together, we will identify further measures in accordance with international law of the sea, including the freedom of navigation, to prevent and effectively respond to willful damaging of critical undersea infrastructure or irresponsible behaviour. Such behaviour interferes, inter alia, with the freedom to lay cables and pipelines and poses a significant risk to the marine environment. We will also take actions for accountability and stronger enforcement against those responsible for damaging undersea infrastructure, including compensation for damage.”
See earlier disinformation cases claiming that "Baltic Sentry" is NATO’s maritime blockade to lock Russia in, that Scandinavia and the Baltic states are preparing to open a second front against Russia, that Finland wants to invade Russia in Barbarossa 2.0 operation, that the West turns Poland into another “Reich” for a new “Drang nach Osten”, tha the West is aiming to open a second front against Russia, and that the EU announced a war on Russia, allowing Ukraine to attack targets in Russia.