The Editorial Analysis- Russia's NATO Problem

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Russia’s NATO Problem- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: International Relations- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

Russia’s unjustifiable incursion into Ukraine following weeks of military troop build-up on their shared border has drastically raised tensions in the region.
Russia Ukraine war could have ripple effects across the world, particularly for NATO countries and others with strategic connections to the two nations.

Reports said that several Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, came under attack on Thursday morning.
S. President Joe Biden and the NATO and European Commission leadership vowed to impose “severe sanctions” on Russia.
- This round of sanctions will overlay prior economic penalties imposed on Russian entities and individuals close to the political leadership.
- They are expected to include cutting off top Russian banks from the financial system, halting technology exports, and directly targeting the Russian President.

Diplomatic Efforts: Ever since Russia began amassing troops on the Ukrainian border, the U.S., NATO, and Europe have sought to press for diplomatic solutions.
- This includes direct U.S.-Russia negotiations and French President Macron’s meeting with Mr. Putin.
UNSC Meeting: UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to stop the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s NATO dream: Ukraine was expected to be part of NATO. This frustrated Russia as it would have put western powers in its backyard.
- The heart of his fears is the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO and NATO troops potentially stationed at the border with Russia.
Disregard for “Founding Act”: After the dissolution of the former Soviet Union, the Eastern European military alliance, NATO, and Russia in 1997 signed the “Founding Act” on mutual relations, cooperation, and security.
- Disregarding the spirit of this agreement, NATO quietly underwent five rounds of enlargement during the 1990s, pulling former Soviet Union countries into its orbit.

Unless western nations give assurances to Mr. Putin that NATO will not seek to relentlessly expand its footprint eastwards, Moscow will have little incentive to return to the negotiating table.
- But Russia and Mr. Putin must realize that war is not the means to peace and security.