Expert did not rule out further escalation between Russia and NATO

A sharp increase in tension between NATO and Russia is evident now, and further escalation is possible – as stated by political expert Yuri Shevtsov in his talk with Alfa Radio

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lecke Rasmussen signed a bilateral agreement on defence co-operation in Washington in late 2023. Before that, the United States had agreed with Finland on the deployment of its troops and weapons on the country’s’ territory.

Commenting on what is happening, Mr. Shevtsov noted, “There is a very sharp increase in tension between NATO and Russia. Previously, when Finland and Sweden were neutral, Russia did not see any special problems in the north – at least on land. At present, the Russian Federation is responding to NATO’s actions by creating the Leningrad Military District and making a lot of other similar steps. Differently speaking, it is concentrating troops and various military resources in that region as a response. This means that a very tense line of contact between NATO and Russia has increased dramatically. For example, without taking consideration the north, where did Russia directly neighbour the North Atlantic Alliance? It was only in the Kaliningrad Region, on the border with Poland. In addition, there was the Baltic Sea and a small section of the border with Norway. Russia had no more direct contact line with NATO, but it has now.”

The expert drew attention to the fact that this line in the north concerns ‘extremely painful military moments for the Russian Federation’. “At present, when NATO is dramatically strengthening its presence on the border with Russia, St. Petersburg has found itself in a position where something like a blockade can be imposed at any moment. In addition, NATO’s positions are also growing dramatically in the north, where Russia’s very important bases for strategic submarines are located. Tensions are growing, and an escalation may occur at some point,” Mr. Shevtsov added.