
Received 01.07.2024. Revised 08.09.2024. Accepted 25.09.2024.
Acknowledgements. The article was prepared within grant program of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation on the Human Potential Inter-Disciplinary Studies, Agreement of the MGIMO University no. 075-15-2022-327 dated 22.04.2022.
Abstract. From the first steps of implementing the policy of NATO expansion to the East – since the first half of the 1990s, official representatives of the alliance have constantly emphasized that these actions would not pose a threat to Russia. Moscow held the exact opposite opinion, but its concerns and objections were not taken into consideration. As military and political relations worsened and disagreements between Russia and the West/NATO grew, the military potential of the alliance was increasingly strengthened, coming close to the Russian borders. Traditionally neutral states – Finland and Sweden – also joined NATO. The beginning of the Special Military Operation (SMO) was used by Brussels as a long-term pretext for the beginning of the active militarization of Europe, the implementation of plans for even a larger-scale strengthening of the military and political structure of the Alliance. The leadership of the USA and NATO, having taken a course for escalation, however, show a certain “restraint”, trying to avoid a direct conflict with Russia. Brussels has repeatedly argued that NATO is not a party to the conflict in Ukraine and has set itself the task of preventing a direct clash Moscow has also repeatedly stated that it is not going to attack NATO countries. The United States and other Western states all the while do not allow Kyiv to use their weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory. Russia, on the other hand, is not completely destroying relations with the Alliance, as evidenced by the fact that Moscow is not going to withdraw from the 1997 Russia–NATO Founding Act. The article examines the current stage of relations between Russia and NATO, revealing its main features. The authors also provide a comprehensive examination of the content and nature of the new wave of militarization in Europe, using key European countries as examples.
Keywords: Russia–NATO relations, militarization of Europe, arms limitation and reduction, military confrontation, European security, Cold War, Special Military Operation (SMO) of Russia
REFERENCES
1. Gereikhanova A. Putin: In matters of security, we have nowhere left to retreat. Rossiyskaya Gazeta, 26.12.2021. (In Russ.) Available at: https://rg.ru/2021/12/26/putin-v-voprosah-bezopasnosti-nam-uzhe-nekuda-othodit.html (accessed 28.08.2024).
2. Oznobishchev S. Dynamics of Russia-NATO relations and the new strategic concept of the alliance. SIPRI Yearbook 2021: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security. IMEMO, 2022, pp. 843-854. (In Russ)
3. Klimentiev M. Putin hopes there will be no second Cold War. TASS, 13.10.2019. (In Russ.) Available at: https://tass.ru/politika/6994328 (accessed 28.08.2024).
4. Fokin A. Fyodor Voitolovsky: NATO is trying to repeat the most acute crisis of the Cold War. Parlamentskaya gazeta, 13.07.2024. (In Russ.) Available at: https://www.pnp.ru/politics/fedor-voytolovskiy-nato-pytaetsya-povtorit-ostreyshiy-krizis-kholodnoy-voyny.html (accessed 01.09.2024).
5. Chernov Yu. MFA of the Russian Federation: The use of nuclear weapons by Russia in Ukraine is impossible. Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 05.08.2022. (In Russ.) Available at: https://rg.ru/2022/08/05/mid-rf-primenenie-rossiej-iadernogo-oruzhiia-na-ukraine-nevozmozhno.html (accessed 01.09.2024).
6. Sysoev I. MFA: Russia does not intend to withdraw from the Russia–NATO Founding Act. Rossiyskaya Gazeta, 17.05.2022. (In Russ.) Available at: https://rg.ru/2022/05/17/mid-rossiia-ne-namerena-vyhodit-iz-osnovopolagaiushchego-akta-rossiia-nato.html (accessed 28.07.2024).
7. Landsbergis G. The end of naivete: How NATO must boost Baltic defenses. Politico Europe, 11.05.2022. Available at: https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-baltic-defence-ukraine-russia-war/ (accessed 27.07.2022).
8. Moody O. Russia could threaten NATO within three years, says Estonia. The Times, 15.01.2024. Available at: https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/russia-could-threaten-nato-borders-within-three-years-says-estonia-0zfnndpkf (accessed 27.07.2024).
9. Ratajczak M. Andrzej Duda in WP: The voracious Russian monster will want to continue attacking. Wiadomosti, 16.07.2024. (In Pol.) Available at: https://wiadomosci.wp.pl/andrzej-duda-w-wp-zarloczny-rosyjski-potwor-bedzie-chcial-atakowac-nadal-7049444268341792a (accessed 11.08.2024).
10. Poushter J., Huangand C., Clancy L. Spotlight on Poland: Negative Views of Russia Surge, but Ratings for U.S., NATO, EU Improve. PEW Research Center, 22.06.2022. Available at: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2022/06/22/spotlight-on-poland-negative-views-of-russia-surge-but-ratings-for-u-s-nato-eu-improve/ (accessed 16.08.2024).
11. Nikitin A. The reinforcement of NATO at the Eastern borders of the alliance and prospects for its expansion northward. Journal of International Analytics, 2016, no. 1, pp. 34-43. (In Russ.) Available at: https://doi.org/10.46272/2587-8476-2016-0-1-34-43
12. Crawford A. Thanks to Putin, Business Is Booming for Germany’s Defense Contractors. Bloomberg News, 05.04.2023. Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-04-05/russia-war-in-ukraine-boosts-german-defense-industry-profits?srnd=premium-europe (accessed 11.08.2024).
13. Chenel T. Nous avons besoin tous de produire davantage: Emmanuel Macron veut accroître la production d’armement en france. BFM Business, 11.04.2024. Available at: https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/nous-avons-besoin-tous-de-produire-davantage-emmanuel-macron-veut-accroitre-la-production-d-armement-en-france_AV-202404110649.html (accessed 11.08.2024).
14. Selivanova A. Rzeczpospolita: A boom began in the military-industrial complex of Poland against the backdrop of the Ukrainian conflict. Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 15.01.2024. (In Russ.) Available at: https://rg.ru/2024/01/15/rzeczpospolita-polskij-opk-nachal-proizvodit-trotil-v-tri-smeny.html?ysclid=lyyou00iev656514887 (accessed 11.08.2024).
15. Mäenpää A.Yle: Finland’s new explosive factory with a fast schedule. Network news, 05.05.2024. (In Finnish) Available at: https://www.verkkouutiset.fi/a/yle-suomeen-perustetaan-uusi-rajahdetehdas-nopealla-aikataululla/#62ce0e6e (accessed 25.07.2024).
16. Klimov V.A., Oznobishchev S.K. U.S. Missile Defense: from National Protection to NATO Defense. World Economy and International Relations, 2023, vol. 67, no. 12, pp. 5-15. (In Russ.) Available at: https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2023-67-12-5-15
SOURCES
1. Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security between NATO and the Russian Federation signed in Paris, France. NATO, 27.06.1997. Available at: https://www.nato.int/cps/ru/natohq/official_texts_25468.htm?selectedLocale=en (accessed 28.08.2024).
2. Vladimir Putin took part in an expanded meeting of the board of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Official website of the President of Russia, 18.11.2021. (In Russ.) Available at: http://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/67123 (accessed 28.08.2024).
3. Ryabkov: NATO expansion further to the East will receive a compensating response from Russia. TASS, 06.12.2022. (In Russ.) Available at: https://tass.ru/politika/16517595 (accessed 28.08.2024).
4. Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the second day of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers. NATO, 14.06.2024. Available at: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_226425.htm?selectedLocale=en (accessed 30.08.2024).
5. Stoltenberg said that all NATO countries support Ukraine’s accession to the alliance. TASS, 21.04.2023. (In Russ.) Available at: https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/17577807 (accessed 28.08.2024).
6. Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the first day of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers. NATO, 13.06.2024. Available at: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_226423.htm?selectedLocale=en (accessed 28.08.2024).
7. Washington Summit Declaration issued by the NATO Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C. NATO, 10.07.2024. Available at: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_227678.htm?selectedLocale=en (accessed 28.08.2024).
8. Putin said that Russia is not going to attack NATO. TASS, 19.12.2023. (In Russ.) Available at https://tass.ru/politika/19580031 (accessed 28.07.2024).
9. Plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum. Official website of the President of Russia, 05.09.2019. (In Russ.) Available at: http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/61451 (accessed 25.07.2024).
10. Joint press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. NATO, 11.07.2024. Available at: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_227508.htm?selectedLocale=en (accessed 29.08.2024).
11. Ryabkov did not rule out the deployment of nuclear weapons in response to US missiles in Germany. TASS, 08.07.2024. (In Russ.) Available at: https://tass.ru/politika/21392615 (accessed 26.07.2024).
12. Main Naval Parade. Official website of the President of Russia, 28.07.2024. (In Russ.) Available at: http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/74651 (accessed 28.08.2024).
13. Stoltenberg stated that NATO was not and will not be a party to the conflict in Ukraine. TASS, 25.01.2023. (In Russ.) Available at: https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/16878463 (accessed 27.07.2024).
14. NYT: Belousov and Austin discussed Kyiv’s “covert operation” against Russia by phone on July 12. TASS, 27.07.2024. (In Russ.) Available at: https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/21464905?ysclid=lz3yrzq54u937561009 (accessed 28.08.2024).
15. The media learned why the US prohibits Ukraine from striking deep into Russia. RIA Novosti, 24.08.2024. (In Russ.) Available at: https://ria.ru/20240824/ssha-1968184892.html (accessed 28.08.2024).
16. The Swedish Prime Minister called for supporting Ukraine without sending NATO troops. TASS, 13.07.2024. (In Russ.) Available at: https://ria.ru/20240713/ukraina-1959456900.html (accessed 24.07.2024).
17. Finnish President calls for calmer discourse on Russia – FT. TASS, 11.04.2024. Available at: https://tass.com/world/1773533 (accessed 24.07.2024).
18. France’s Macron urges a green light for Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia with Western weapons. AP, 29.05.2024. Available at: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-macron-weapons-e308755a31716ee0123b441bb9b548b0 (accessed 27.07.2024).
19. UK’s Labor gov’t to allow Ukraine to use British-supplied weapons for strikes on Russia. TASS, 10.07.2024. Available at: https://tass.com/world/1815269 (accessed 27.07.2024).
20. Scholz said that there are “clear rules” for the use of weapons transferred to Kiev. TASS, 24.05.2024. (In Russ.) Available at: https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/20894623 (accessed 29.07.2024).
21. Scholz: Germany makes decisions that do not lead to an escalation between NATO and Russia. Izvestia, 25.07.2024. (In Russ.) Available at: https://iz.ru/1732819/2024-07-25/sholtc-frg-prinimaet-resheniia-kotorye-ne-vedut-k-eskalatcii-mezhdu-nato-i-rossiei (accessed 29.07.2024).
22. Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2024). NATO, 12.06.2024. Available at: https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2024/6/pdf/240617-def-exp-2024-en.pdf (accessed 16.08.2024).
23. Funding NATO. NATO, 10.07.2024. Available at: https://www.nato.int/cps/ru/natohq/topics_67655.htm (accessed 24.07.2024).
24. Production of military equipment began in Sweden due to orders for Ukraine. Lenta.ru, 28.02.2024. (In Russ.) Available at: https://m.lenta.ru/news/2024/02/28/v-shvetsii-soobschili-o-bume-v-voennoy-promyshlennosti-iz-za-zakazov-dlya-ukrainy/amp/ (accessed 25.07.2024).
25. NATO Steadfast Defender 24. NATO, 08.03.2024. Available at: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/222847.htm (accessed 27.07.2024).
26. Vilnius Summit Communiqué. NATO, 11.07.2023. Available at: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_217320.htm?selectedLocale=en (accessed 23.08.2024).
27. NATO’s military presence in the east of the Alliance. NATO, 08.07.2024. Available at: https://www.nato.int/cps/ru/natohq/topics_136388.htm (accessed 26.07.2024).
28. NATO’s Eastern Flank: stronger defense and deterrence. NATO, June 2022. Available at: https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2022/3/pdf/2203-map-det-def-east.pdf (accessed 23.08.2024).
29. NATO’S Evolving Air and Missile Defense Posture. NATO Parliamentary Assembly, 15.04.2024. Available at: https://www.nato-pa.int/document/2024-air-and-missile-defence-posture-report-cakirozer-048-dsc-24 (accessed 13.08.2024).
No comments