Britain and Nato launch biggest war games on Russia's doorstep as tensions grow

[Little Tich]

Source: The Telegraph

Anti-submarine and Estonia land exercises under way amid fears Russia could have Baltic states in its sights

Britain and Nato have launched their biggest war games on Russia's doorstep amid growing tensions over Vladimir Putin's military aggression.

The largest ever Nato anti-submarine exercise, including the Royal Navy, is under way off the coast of Norway just weeks after reports of Russian submarines encroaching in to foreign waters.

At the same time British troops are taking part in the biggest military exercise seen in Estonia since the Baltic nation regained its independence more than two decades ago.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/11584167/Britain-and-Nato-launch-biggest-war-games-on-Russias-doorstep-as-tensions-grow.html

[TheMastersNemesis]

1. Putin Is Nuts. Sees Ukraine As Part Of Russia (Old USSR). Will To Anything To Take It Back.

Putin believes the Ukraine and other nearby states should belong to Russia like the old USSR. He has as much as said that Ukraine is part of Russia. And we can only speculate what other countries he has in mind.

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. It's a favorite American trope to call leaders we don't like "crazy."

It's generally not true, not true in this case, and not particularly helpful.

Better to analyze the situation through the prism of national interest (on all sides) instead of just demonizing foes.

[okaawhatever]

3. Putin doesn't want all of Ukraine right now because they're in too big of a mess. He does want a

land bridge to Crimea. What he is trying to carve out in the Donbass region will likely do the trick. He also wants to control Ukraine's pipeline system. He's made bids in the past to purchase 51%.
Putin accomplished much of his mission in Ukraine when he invaded Crimea. There is a clause in the NATO agreement that countries with border disputes can't join. You'll notice that Putin has carved out a little of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Just enough to create border disputes and keep a military presence.

[bemildred]

4. War games indeed. nt

[heaven05]

5. Hope no one

'slips up'.