Il Vertice di Varsavia: lo stanziamento di reparti NATO nei Baltici e lo stato attuale delle relazioni NATO/Russia

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the implications of the NATO Warsaw Summit held on 8-9 July 2016 with regard to the state of the relationship between the Atlantic Alliance and the Russian Federation. The decision to deploy four additional NATO battalions on the territory of Poland and the Baltic States was agreed by NATO Member States in response to these countries’ fears to be invaded by Moscow after the Ukrainian Crisis and the consequent Russian annexation of Crimea. The Baltic States, in fact, were subjected to the Russian occupation during the Second World War and still have sizable Russian minorities among their population, which is regarded by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as a possible pretext for the Kremlin to violate their sovereignty. After assessing the period of Soviet domination in the Baltic Region and retracing the ups and downs which marked the history of NATO-Russia relationship, this paper analyses the decisions agreed at the Warsaw Summit and investigates the point of view of NATO, Moscow and the Baltic States, questioning the actual existence of the threat posed by Russia. The aggressive actions perpetrated by both sides and their military build-up have generated a new standoff between NATO and Russia, which is believed to last a long time and to alter European security. In order to resolve this impasse, both parties should try to resume dialogue and cooperation and restore credibility and mutual trust, while respecting each other’s interests.