What will NATO do if Putin really attacks one of its members in Europe? "That city is the alliance's weak spot"
Russian propaganda regarding the potential annexation of the border town of Narva is causing fear in Estonia, a small NATO member. Intelligence circles in Estonia see this campaign as a sign that Russia may be preparing an invasion. The question arises how NATO will react if Russian President Vladimir Putin actually carries it out.
TL;DR
- Russian propaganda regarding the potential annexation of Narva is causing fear in Estonia, a NATO member.
- Estonian intelligence views the propaganda as a potential sign of Russian invasion preparations.
- NATO has defense plans for the Baltic states, considering them a joint operational zone.
- Multinational NATO battle groups are stationed in Estonia as a first line of defense.
- Narva, a border city with a predominantly Russian-speaking population, is considered a weak point due to its location.
- A direct NATO troop presence in Narva could increase deterrence, but this is not yet implemented.
- The current campaign is viewed as hybrid warfare, with immediate military threat unlikely as long as Russia does not publicly claim the need to 'protect' Russians in Estonia.
- Russia's ongoing involvement in the war against Ukraine is another reason against an immediate threat.