The Black Sea and Eastern Europe - Two Keys to the NATO-Russia Confrontation

International Business Times reported in February that NATO will increase its military presence in eastern Europe to meet Russian 'aggression.' NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on February 10th the increase in military forces will be funded by an increase in US military spending : "I expect the defense ministers to agree to enhance our forward presence in the eastern part of our alliance. This will send a clear signal. NATO will respond as one to any aggression against any ally. We have already significantly enhanced our presence and readiness of our forces." ~~~~~ Since Russia's annexation of Crimea, Europe has worried that Moscow could launch a rapid invasion of Poland or the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia), leading NATO to plan to increase defenses on its eastern flank. There will be no stationed standing forces, which would undoubtedly provoke Russian President Putin, despite Poland's demands for permanent NATO bases. NATO defense ministers want a complex web of small outposts, forces on rotation, regular war games and warehoused equipment ready for use by NATO rapid response forces made up of 40,000 air, naval and special operations personnel. ~~~~~ NATO has also reopened dialogue with Russia through the NATO-Russia Council to help avoid surprises and misunderstandings, a senior Nato diplomat told IBT. But, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said NATO's plan is a destabilising factor designed to contain Russia. NATO foreign ministers had suspended "all practical civilian and military cooperation between NATO and Russia" - the Council - in April 2014, after Russia invaded Crimea. ~~~~~ At a May 19 meeting, NATO foreign ministers signed the Montenegro Accession Protocol. Stoltenberg said : “As of today, Montenegro will have a seat at NATO’s table, taking part in all our meetings as an observer." This is the latest NATO move into eastern Europe areas considered by Russia to be off-limits to NATO. ~~~~~ As an example of NATO exercises near Russia's borders, the UK's Telegraph reported that 1,300 US, UK and Georgian troops conducted NATO military exercises in Georgia in early May, despite Russia's Foreign Ministry calling them a provocative step. The exercises, one of the biggest Georgia has ever held in terms of troop numbers and equipment, helped train the former Soviet republic's military for participation in the NATO Response Force. The two-week "Nobel Partner" exercises began at Vaziani military base. Eight M1A2 Abrams tanks were ferried to Georgia from Bulgaria, along with Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. At the opening ceremony, US Air Force C-139 transport aircraft air-dropped light armored vehicles and howitzer artillery, as well as 120 US paratroopers, while Georgian forces operated battle tanks and infantry combat vehicles. Georgian Defense Minister Khidasheli warned Russia to respect the choices of independent states. ~~~~~ Russia is sensitive to NATO exercises in Georgia not only because it borders Russia, but also because it is on the Black Sea, which is also bordered by Romania and Bulgaria (both EU member states), Ukraine and Russia, as well as Turkey to the south. Turkey controls access to the Mediterranean by the Russian Black Sea fleet based at Sebastopol. The Black Sea links Russia, Europe and Turkey in both Europe and the Mediterranean. All sides scrutinize its use. ~~~~~ Dear readers, the Guardian reported in March that the Pentagon has decided to restore Obama's troop cuts in Europe to address Russian aggression. Shortly after Obama leaves office in 2017, the US Army presence in Europe is set to return to three armored brigades with associated vehicles and artillery. General Breedlove, the outgoing NATO military chief, announced the additional force as critical to reassuring European allies of the US commitment. From Russian fly-bys and buzzing US naval vessels to the US activation of a ballistic missile defense shield in Europe -- how hot can the NATO - EU - US - Russia confrontation in Europe get? Tomorrow we'll look at who's doing what in Europe.