The Baltic states are ready to go to war as NATO seeks to contain Russia.

(Baonghean.vn) - Leaders of the Baltic states and Poland fear that the NATO forces planned for deployment on their territory are too few and merely symbolic if needed to deter a Russian attack.

US troops crossed the Lithuania-Latvia border during the Dragoon Ride II tactical parade on June 6. Photo: Reuters.

This week, these countries will pressure ministers of the Western military alliance to help them build air defense systems against Russian aircraft and missiles.

However, that would be a highly sensitive move, which Moscow could see as further evidence of a NATO strategy threatening its borders.

Speaking to Reuters, Lithuania's Defense Minister stated that "the possibility of Russian 'invasion' of the Baltic region cannot be ruled out," suggesting that "they could conduct military exercises near the border and then launch an invasion in just a few hours."

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia see themselves as frontline countries in any potential conflict with Moscow and have stated that they are placing their armies on high alert, meaning they can be mobilized almost immediately if needed.

NATO defense ministers are expected to agree this week on a new multinational force of 4,000 troops to be deployed to the Baltic states and Poland.

The US, Germany, and the UK will lead battalions of 1,000 troops. Canada could be the fourth country in this series.

While the Baltic states welcomed the troop deployment, they argued that the reinforcement should be pushed further – pointing to Russia's efforts to develop "anti-access" capabilities in the Kaliningrad region bordering Lithuania and Poland, using missiles and submarines to prevent NATO from increasing troop presence in the Baltic.

Phu Binh

(According to Reuters)