Inside the NATO battle group – EURACTIV.com

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In this week’s version: NATO’s Russia is worried about China’s attention to the EU (investment) and Croatia’s border violence.

Earlier this week, in the snowy forests of Latvia, approximately 1,500 NATO troops were practicing combat skills in an attempt to prevent an attack on Riga by interfering with and delaying the advancement of “hypothetical” opponents to the north of Riga.

The Canadian-led battle group located in the Ādaži camp is about 300 kilometers from the Russian border and an hour’s drive from the capital of Latvia. It is considered an important part of the alliance’s eastern defense.

It is no coincidence that NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and other NATO foreign ministers visited the base early. Meeting in Riga this week, Where they discussed the reaction to the Russian rally.

If Russia takes military action against Ukraine, there will be “consequences.” Stoltenberg told EURACTIV, Emphasizing NATO’s determination to “defend all allies in the region” is beyond doubt.

After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and increased its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, the Latvian base has soldiers from 11 NATO member states and is one of four NATO multinational battle groups deployed in the Baltic Sea region and Poland. one.

NATO soldiers in Latvia told EURACTIV that they are closely following developments and want to know how the incident affects their deployment.

“We have been monitoring what is happening around us,” Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John Benson, commander of the Latvian NATO battle group, told EURACTIV during a military exercise known as the “Winter Shield.”

When asked whether there will be different threat perceptions based on the latest developments, Benson said that they “have not seen any major changes in any threats or challenges we face in recent weeks or months.”

The Baltic States are considered the most vulnerable flank of NATO. They are connected to the main territories of the Union through an impenetrable land corridor of approximately 60 kilometers between Poland and Lithuania. It is called the Suwałki Gap and is located between Belarus and the Kaliningrad enclave in Russia.

When asked whether NATO’s battle group is sufficient to defend this gap, Benson said, “The mission is to deter and defend when necessary”, which means “taking time to understand what this region means to the host country and NATO as a whole “.

“But the most important information we can provide in terms of deterrence is that more than one-third of NATO countries are often here, and I believe our opponents are paying attention to this,” Benson said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern about “military exercises” near his border and earlier this week accused NATO of building military infrastructure in Ukraine.

Although it is not clear whether he specifically mentioned the recent exercises in the Baltic Sea, Benson emphasized that the existence of NATO is still a strict defense.

“There is no doubt that we can complete the tasks that are required of us-but we are now in a defensive state,” Benson said.

He said: “Latvia’s increased forward power has been in existence for nearly five years.” “Our work in Latvia has not undergone major changes.”

Defensive angle

Interview | If you missed it, read our exclusive interview with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg earlier this week here.

On EURACTIV, he also talked about how the current situation in Belarus affects the security of Eastern Europe, the EU’s strategic autonomy ambitions, and NATO’s future challenges.

Concerns of the United States, NATO, and the United States | Do you care? Yes.

Tension in Ukraine escalated this week After Russia requested “guarantee” The military alliance from NATO will not expand to the east of Europe.

Ukraine urges NATO to prepare to impose economic sanctions on Russia to prevent possible invasions if necessary, and said that this may eventually lead to Large-scale military offensive at the end of January.

At the same time, the U.S. stated Track enough indicators And the warnings surrounding Russia’s military activities near Ukraine have caused “a lot of worries.” U.S. President Biden will hold a “security video call” with Russian President Putin on Tuesday to underscore the U.S. concerns about Russia’s build-up of troops on the border with Ukraine. Say.

Eastern Europeans are also worried. Latvia has called on the United States to permanently station troops to deter Russia, hoping to strengthen its defenses with US Patriot missiles.

The Eastern Role of the European Union| In the context of tensions with Russia, the situation at the borders of Poland and Belarus, and Russia’s regrouping of troops in Ukraine and its surrounding areas, Lithuania calls on the EU to strengthen its role in the East.

Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Margiris Abukevičius told EURACTIV on the sidelines of the NATO ministerial meeting in Riga, Latvia, that if the EU is to become an important geopolitical player, it needs to play a role not only in Africa but also in its eastern neighbors.

EU in the world

Portal blues | Considered by many as a response to China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative, the European Commission Announced a new plan to invest 300 billion euros By 2027, strengthen European supply chains in infrastructure, digital and climate projects around the world, promote EU trade and help combat climate change.

The problem is, although 300 billion euros sounds like a lot, but Can’t accept the face value of this number.

This is when the political confrontation between Lithuania and China has risen to another level: Beijing bans Lithuanian products Enter the Chinese market amid increasing tensions. The European Commission said it is collecting information and will re-discuss the matter later. +

Belarus sanctions | EU diplomats agreed to add 28 individuals and institutions to its Belarus sanctions list in response to the alleged problem of directing migrants to the EU border.There are now 183 people and 26 entities Listed. The latest round Western coordinated sanctions Designed to significantly increase the pressure on Lukashenko.

According to EU diplomats, work on the sixth sanctions package has already begun, but it is not expected to be carried out before January/February next year.

Belarusian border | In other news related to Belarus this week, the EU executive proposed to temporarily relax the asylum rules to allow Poland and its two Baltic neighbors, Lithuania and Latvia, to deal with migrants pushed to the common border by Belarus, but the proposal Angered EU legislators and rights groups.

Transatlantic connection

National Defense Dialogue | The previously touted US-EU dialogue on security and defense is Will be launched in early 2022Announced by US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken and EU Chief Diplomat Joseph Borrell. Possible areas of cooperation include coping with cyber threats, climate change, and cooperation on disruptive technologies.

Zoom in latest

Trio | This week, I hope that one day the three prime ministers of the EU’s eastern neighbors who have joined the EU will come to Brussels to work hard to chart a way forward for their cooperation.But the initiative so far Little support From the European Commission.

Torture report | The European Commission’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) released a report this week Details Croatian police border violence After Zagreb tried to block the work of the agency, it opposed immigration from Bosnia.

These allegations echo First-hand testimony In October of this year, the immigrants provided EURACTIV with a report detailing signs of systematic illegal border violence and counterattacks by the Croatian police.

At the same time, Ylva Johansson, head of internal affairs at the European Commission Welcome to Croatia’s deal The media revealed that border officials beat up migrants, despite NGO reports of continued violence at the Bosnian border.

Immigration Talks | The interior ministers of the European Union and the Western Balkans agreed that it is necessary to strengthen information exchange and field cooperation in combating organized crime, terrorism and immigration management.However, refuting the allegations Be fired.

Eurasian Digest

Kazakh Carbon| Kazakhstan plans to adjust its revised carbon emissions trading plan Closely related to the European Union Its legislators stated that as part of its domestic green transformation plan.