Wednesday 2 December 2015

Why Montenegro joining NATO is bad for Russia?

It comes as no surprise that ever since the European Union came into existence that Russia has seen previous allies defecting and joining the economic trade bloc and as a result strategic ties amongst them and the Russian government severely damaged because of their new found partners, not taking away from the years of oppressive rule under the then communist USSR, you wouldn't think their was much love lost between them.

However these nations possess great quantities of valuable commodities as is the case in Ukraine where Crimea lies near large untapped wells of offshore gas reserves. Others are geographically situated near borders where political instability is pertinent for military or air force ease of access should and when unrest take place that threatens to sow the seed of discord.

NATO has added more fuel to the flames by openly inviting Montenegro, a former Soviet state to join their military alliance, of which some members include the US, Germany, Great Britain and France.


At first it would be easy for one to simply brush off such intentions as NATO merely increasing the number of members it's organisation has thus propping up the military might it has but you'd quickly realize that a nation such as Montenegro doesn't fall into the category of a military powerhouse state. So it would be easier to assume that the move is along the lines of political strategy rather than adding arsenal to their war chest. 
Although the fall of communism has allowed many barriers to fall between great nations the trust given to one another, Russia and the rest of Europe, has always felt constrained at times and rightly so since the downfall of communist was just over two decades ago.

Europe's slowly building alliances amongst these former Soviet states takes away the possibilities that Russia could begin to create it's own economic power that would match that of the EU, putting in it's way obstacles that would almost assure that such measures would be very difficult to put in motion.

If we look at the feeble attempt by Turkey to stamp it's authority on Russia only to rush to big brother, the US, a more prominent members of NATO, for support when tensions grew high does leave open the chance that more nations like this may execute similar actions yet get away with it because Russia wouldn't want to challenge such a military alliance.

In effect Europe is leaving Putin out in the cold when it comes to finding partners that would aid his plans to extend Russian economic dominance by sizing down the shortlist of potential candidates willing and able to forge strong ties with. It is clear to see why Putin isn't very cosy with the West and won't allow such actions to hinder his stance.

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