Cutting the gas!

Russia, Ukraine and NATO - desperate triangle

...But what consequences will Russia face if Ukraine joins NATO? They could be broken up into several categories.

First, it will encounter military consequences. Tensions on Russia's western borders will rapidly go up. At present, NATO's tactical aircraft can reach Moscow in about an hour. Their flying time would be reduced to 20-25 minutes. The NATO forces would increase by several divisions, 300 to 350 combat aircraft, and 10 to 12 surface ships. This would further increase the already big gap in NATO and Russia's military potentials.

Political consequences would be closely linked with the military ones. Tensions between Russia and the West would escalate; and the political climate, which already leaves much to be desired, would finally slide to the worst times of the Cold War. Confrontation in Europe would be tense, but its front would move closer to the former Soviet territory.

Russia has already sustained economic losses because of Kiev's flirtation with NATO. Its defense industry has to downgrade cooperation with its western neighbor and gradually move to Russia the production of spare parts for military hardware, which were previously made in Ukraine, or develop their counterparts. The range of this hardware is rather broad - electronic components, missile, aircraft, ship and tank engines, as well as different auxiliary equipment. If Ukraine joins NATO, such cooperation will end once and for all...

http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080623/111792916.html

U.S. says Lithuania has agreed to consider hosting missile shield

WASHINGTON, July 2 (RIA Novosti) - United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said that Lithuania has agreed to consider hosting a missile interceptor base if the U.S. deal with Poland falls through.

Poland has taken a tough stance in the missile talks with the U.S., demanding that Washington upgrade the country's air defense systems as a condition for agreeing to station 10 interceptor missiles on its territory. Russia opposes the plans as a threat to its security and the nuclear deterrence system.

After Gates's meeting with Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas on Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said: "The Lithuanian prime minister indicated that his government was willing to consider hosting the interceptors, and for that the secretary expressed his appreciation."

"Our position remains the same: our preference is to work out a deal with the Poles. But prudent planning requires that we simultaneously look at backups, if necessary. Lithuania would geographically serve as a good alternative," the spokesman said

Ex-Soviet Lithuania joined the European Union and NATO in 2004.

Washington says interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic are needed as protection from possible attacks by "rogue" states.

State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. remains hopeful that a deal with Poland can be reached in the near future.

"We've had these conversations for a long time, and I think you'd see a resolution of this somewhere in the coming days. But whether that's in a week or two weeks, I'm not really in a position to say," he said.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20080702/112767972.html

Seems that USA is using Lithuania as leverage to put pressure on Poland to agree to host missile bases.

Poland, U.S. agree on missile shield terms
http://en.rian.ru/world/20080703/

It appears that USA's Lithuania bargaining trick paid off and Poland has agreed to the missile base deal.

Well, Russia is even now attacking the eastern European lands, as shown in the propaganda campaigns planned for 2010. I can't link you to the article (well, I can but it's in estonian: http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/article.php?id=19306104 ) but why on earth is, Russia celebrating the 300th anniversary of conquering Estonia if estonia is not a part of it anymore? Yet, we are a part of Nato. So, Russia shows candies in one hand and strikes with an axe from the other. 

But it isn't it's decision. It's the decision of each sovereign state and when Russia says she doesn't like it, even indirectly, isn't that an assault on the validity of the sovereignity of every state?

Originally posted by rider Well, Russia is even now attacking the eastern European lands, as shown in the propaganda campaigns planned for 2010. I can't link you to the article (well, I can but it's in estonian: http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/article.php?id=19306104 ) but why on earth is, Russia celebrating the 300th anniversary of conquering Estonia if estonia is not a part of it anymore? Yet, we are a part of Nato. So, Russia shows candies in one hand and strikes with an axe from the other.

Edited by Sarmat12 - 14-Jul-2008 at 23:41

Originally posted by rider Pikeshot, that's true (US won't go to war for us)

What about Kosovo war?

Originally posted by Bankotsu Originally posted by rider Pikeshot, that's true (US won't go to war for us) What about Kosovo war?

Edited by pikeshot1600 - 15-Jul-2008 at 23:02

We are, Pikeshot, hopefully, if the situation demands it.

Sarmat, perhaps you have to look deeper. I trust our newsservice rather well... check the national budget for 2010 if you can... if nothing's there, I'll believe you.