The threat of Russian threat strengthens ties within NATO

As VOA’s Henry Ridgwell reports, many analysts say Moscow’s actions have strengthened relations within the NATO alliance.

Ships and fighter jets of 28 NATO member countries conducted a drill off the coast of Italy earlier this month. NATO allies are deploying military personnel and equipment throughout Eastern Europe.

Britain is stepping up deployments in Estonia and Poland and is considering sending more troops to Southeast Europe. The NATO Secretary General welcomed Britain’s offer.

“Renewal of Russian aggression will increase NATO presence, it will not reduce it,” he said.

The United States has deployed 3,000 additional troops in Poland and Romania.

“To increase confidence, to reassure our allies, and to strengthen the eastern flank of the NATO alliance,” said U.S. Army Colonel Joe Ewers.

France is sending troops to Romania. And Germany, which has been criticized in the past for not taking a tougher line on Russia, is increasing its troop numbers in Lithuania.

“You can count on us and we are showing this by strengthening our presence,” said German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht.

Russia’s actions have strengthened NATO unity, says analyst Jonathan Eyal.

“The Russians were not just seeking to accept a division of Europe into new spheres of influence, but a setback to all the security arrangements established on the continent since the early 1990s, at the end of the Cold War. “And it was so outrageous, so extreme, that it was impossible for the Allies not to have a common denominator,” said analyst Joanathan Eyal of the Royal United Services Institute.

Polls show growing public support for NATO in both member countries and non-member allies, including Sweden and Finland. Although neither is expected to join the alliance soon, both countries have voiced alarm over the gathering of Russian troops.

“We all want Russia to reduce tensions. “We want to find peaceful ways out of the situation,” said Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin.

Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine, a miscalculation, says analyst Eyal.

“If Russia’s intention was to divide Europe, its recent actions have had the opposite effect,” he said.

But Russia believes it has achieved its goal of keeping Ukraine and Georgia out of the alliance, says analyst Alex Titov.

Despite Moscow’s denials, many Western leaders continue to believe that Russia plans to invade Ukraine.

Many observers say the Russian threat has revived the NATO alliance instead of highlighting divisions within its ranks.