US Army M1A1 Abrams tanks in LithuaniaMOSCOW, 22 Jan. Le Figaro correspondent Nicolas Barot published a report from NATO exercises in the Baltics, where the alliance is strengthening its military presence in preparation for a «conflict» with Russia. French and British tanks, armored vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, anti-tank shells and missiles are participating in the maneuvers. The publication notes that Russia condemns the exercises in the region, while NATO less and less assures Moscow of the defensive purpose of the alliance. About a thousand troops from France and Britain are stationed in Estonia. Moreover, the United Kingdom is particularly active in this process. In March, the Danes will arrive in place of the British, with reinforcements in the form of a frigate. Part of the exercises are taking place in Latvia: the NATO military was stationed in the military town of Adazi. The Baltic countries are working together on defense.
NATO runs the risk of dragging Europe into a large-scale war, writes Foreign Affairs. «This vast area can also be used for training firing from tanks with live ammunition, and in Europe there are simply no such» natural «ranges,» the author added. Among the goals of maneuvers in the Baltics is verification » interoperability» of NATO armies. At the same time, it is noted that there are many difficulties: from the language barrier to the different levels of training of the armed forces of the member countries. In Latvia, the forces of ten states are deployed under the command of Canadians, in Lithuania the “frame nation” is Germany, in addition to the Germans, military personnel from six more countries are stationed in the republic . In Poland, the forces of the alliance are commanded by the Americans, in addition to them, there are also British, Romanian and Croatian military. , — explained the author.The United States simulated a war with Russia in the BalticsThe task of these units is to contain the enemy’s offensive until NATO prepares a military response. The article notes that in recent years the bloc has strengthened its presence in the region, and, in all likelihood, the process will continue next year. In addition, the publication talks about the presence of large Russian communities in the Baltics. In some countries they make up to a quarter of the population. At the same time, they do not claim a special identity, but they are still under the attention of local intelligence services, the author emphasized. At the end of 2021, Russia published draft agreements with the United States and NATO on security guarantees. Moscow, in particular, is demanding legal guarantees against further expansion of the North Atlantic Alliance to the east, from joining the bloc of Ukraine and from establishing military bases in post-Soviet countries. The two powers held consultations in Geneva on January 9 and 10 on proposals for security guarantees that Russia sent States and their allies in December. Even before the start of negotiations, Washington called some points of the document unacceptable, while Moscow noted that this was not an ultimatum, but it would not make unilateral concessions, especially under pressure. >
The Germans started talking about the war because of helping Lithuania against Russia
