The geostrategic reality has fundamentally changed in recent years.
Obviously, the Baltic States are preparing for war. The calls to make
defence stronger, national and allied armed forces bigger and their
training more active only worsen the situation.
The Baltic States on January 19 signed an agreement to create a common
defence line on their borders with Russia and Belarus, Lithuania's
Defence Ministry said.
"This is a political message - a message from Lithuania, Latvia, and
Estonia that we feel a war coming to us," Lithuanian Foreign Minister
Gabrielius Landsbergis said.
"It is a preparation for what could happen. And we hope that this will
send a sufficient message to our friends and partners in Europe and
NATO, that this needs to be taken seriously," he added.
It should be said, that this message has become a convenient justification for building up Baltic States' military capabilities.
Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are intensifying the training of their armed forces at an increasing pace.
Thus, the Thunderstorm national exercise under the lead of the
Lithuanian Chief of Defence is planned for 29 April - 9 May in Lithuania
with the participation of Germany. It is oriented to the Lithuanian
Defence Plans and focusing on the training ability to plan and conduct
state defence and NATO Article 5 operations together with Allied Forces
to prepare for the whole spectrum of operations.
The Crystal Arrow drills will be held in March. These will be NATO's
enhanced forward presence in Latvia combat group certification exercises
and National Armed Forces mechanized infantry brigade headquarters and
unit training to improve command management, plan and manage operations.
The Solar Eclipse IV, a Latvian tactical field training of combat
support specialists with a focus on indirect fire support, will be held
in April.
Saber Strike International regional military exercise organized by the
U.S. Armed Forces in Europe and Africa are scheduled for April and May.
The exercise focus is on rapid deployment of forces and cold weather
training will be held in the Baltics in February and March with the
participation of Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia.
Military exercises BALTOPS are scheduled for June, the largest and most
elaborate naval force and service exercises in the Baltic Sea region.
This display of military capabilities leads to increasing tension in the
Baltic region and in Europe. Unfortunately, the current year does not
make promise of warmer relations between the Baltic States and their
neighbors because of such military activity.