I.V. Bocharnikov The Baltic direction in NATO’s strategy of inhibiting Russia

Abstract: This article presents a comparative analysis of NATO’s political and military activity in Baltic sector countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia), on the background of the developing Ukrainian crisis. The author points out the increase in frequency and intensity of military exercises by NATO countries and its overt anti-Russian vector. The author analyzes NATO leadership’s decisions in implementing the Newport (Wales, Great Britain) Summit’s decisions in additional weapons placement in Baltic countries, and in creating a rapid reaction force. The methodological basis of this research is the systemic, structural-functional, comparative-political, geopolitical and cultural-civilizational approaches, the methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, modeling, observation. The author reaches conclusions regarding NATO’s provocative work to involve neutral Baltic countries into the Alliance – Sweden and Finland. The author points out that the Baltic region, along with Ukraine, one of the major tension points between Russian Federation and NATO.

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