NATO’s eastern flank in the spotlight again
Russia's military aggression against Ukraine is fundamentally and dramatically affecting European security, says Klaus Iohannis
Roxana Vasile, 07.03.2022, 14:25
Russias invasion of Ukraine has sharply brought to the forefront talks on the strengthening of the North Atlantic Alliances eastern flank. NATOs declared non-involvement in the bloody hostilities that have long been the headline of world news does not mean passivity. On the contrary! Moscows repeated claims – that Ukraine should not join the Alliance as it would like as a sovereign and independent state, and that NATO should return to its pre-1997 architecture – have been bluntly rejected.
NATO has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to immediately stop the invasion of a peaceful country, to withdraw all forces from Ukraine unconditionally, and to make a sincere diplomatic move. The alliance will not enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine, nor will it send troops to that country, but will continue to do everything in its power to defend every millimeter of Allied territory.
Given the decisions and threats of the Kremlin strongman, NATO has decided to strengthen its defense on the ground, in the air and at sea, sending several troops on its eastern flank, adding to the planes and military ships that are on high alert. President Klaus Iohannis says that at the moment, Bucharest does rely on the scenario that the conflict in neighboring Ukraine could expand, but Romania continues to increase considerably, with allied support, its deterrence and defense capability, especially in the Black Sea area.
President Klaus Iohannis:”Its quite obvious that we have an aggressor, Russia, and we must do everything we can to protect ourselves and to ensure a defense for our states. In this sense, it is desirable and it is quite likely that NATO forces will come closer to the eastern flank.”
At the “Mihail Kogălniceanu” Base near Constanţa (southeast), an important contingent from France and Belgium arrived, part of the NATO Response Force. There are also soldiers from the United States, Italy and Germany, and there are plans for additional forces to come.ʺThe strongest military political alliance in the world is here in Romania, strengthening the eastern flank, to protect and defend all Allies and every inch of NATO territory. An attack on one of us will be seen as an attack on all of us. Our commitment to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty is strong”, said Romanias PM and retired army general, Nicolae Ciuca.
On the other hand, the diplomatic ballet, with the obvious symbolism of Allied unity, continues in Romania! After the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the French Minister of Defense, Florence Parly, came to Bucharest this past week, its now the turn of the head of Canadian diplomacy, Melanie Joly, and, soon, of the vice-president of the United States, Kamala Harris, to prove, as the White House says it will do in Poland as well, the force and unity of NATO, as well as the American support against the Russian aggression. (MI)
