The Future for NATO and Russia

Abstract

In today’s world of high militarism and tension in Eastern Europe, the potential for nuclear escalation is high. Therefore, it is necessary that NATO find a way to de-escalate the conflicts in both Ukraine and the Baltics. This paper provides an exposition on the current conflict in Ukraine between NATO and Russia, and provides insight into the Russian government’s historical and current view of the West. It then discusses context in the relationship between the two antagonists and how it has culminated in Russian aggression in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and it provides a review of previous works that have analyzed Russian motivations in the region. The paper then outlines how NATO can use the previously established Minsk agreements as a way to negotiate with Russia and slow the progress of the conflict. It then transitions to the Batlics and examines how the current situation in the region is untenable and how Putin’s desires for expansion there  are apparent. Specifically, the Russian ethnic population in the Baltics and the Russian recession are fueling Putin’s aggressiveness, which has resulted in aggressive military actions by the Russian military in recent months. NATO has also contributed to conflict in the region through posture enhancements, according to the review of articles. The paper concludes by suggesting that NATO strengthen its position around the Suwalki corridor while making conciliatory moves elsewhere in the Baltics. The paper provides a nuanced analysis and policy recommendations for NATO in Ukraine and the Baltics.