Moscow signals concern for Russians in Estonia

[happyslug]

61. Or you believe that US troops can NOT use the Baltic states as a base to attack Russia?

Remember, the fear of Russia is NOT from any of the Baltic States, but from them being used as bases to attack Russia (which they have been used to do for at various times over the last 1000 years). That fear is what is driving the Russians, and that fear is what lead the Russians to take over those countries from Sweden in the 1700s. Under the Czars those countries were basically left alone, as long as they knew who NOT to ally with.

Under the Communists, that changed for every one of those countries allied with Germany Against Russia during WWII (now the Soviet Union did occupy them first, but by 1940 it was clear that Hitler was going to attack Russia, the only question was when, thus the US objected to that Soviet move into the Baltics, but Britain refused to condemn Russia for it, the reason was simple, but 1940 Britain was already looking to Russia as an ally against Germany).

Now, Stalin's annexation of the Baltic States was based on the fact his troops were already all over them. Even today Russia claims the annexation was voluntary, the people of the Baltic deny this (with most observers backing the people of the Baltic States). Hitler used those same Baltic States as a base to attack St Petersburgh and Russia itself.

Thus Russia's concern is NOT with the Baltic States themselves, but who may use them to attack Russia. As long as those Baltic States were neutral, not a problem for Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the problem has occurred as those states not only allied with NATO, but let NATO troops from other NATO countries enter and train in their country. Russia can NOT tolerate such movement of troops, ships or planes from other NATO nations.

I have no problem with the Baltic nations allying with NATO, my problem is having NATO troops in those countries. It is the later that will upset Russia and will force Russia to do something about it, just as Stalin did in 1940 when he feared a German move into those same states.

Remember Putin is no Stalin, Putin has no desire to impose his concept of communism on the people of the Baltic States (Which is what Stalin did). Thus Putin will NOT do anything to the people of the Baltic states, except occupy their country to keep NATO forces out of them. It is for that reason, I do not blame the Baltic States for this problem, the problem is one of the making of the US and NATO. The US should NEVER have permitted NATO to violate the US and Russia understanding of 1994 that NATO will NOT expand into Poland or the Baltic States. Again, no problem being allied with NATO, but those countries militaries should NOT be part of the NATO military structure. Remember it is NOT the Baltic States that Russia fears but NATO.