The Baltic states fear a Russian invasion. They faced the same threat a century ago and failed to stop it. Historian Alexey Uvarov explains why the region could not defend itself against Stalin.
As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year, experts and Western intelligence sources are increasingly warning that Russia also poses a growing threat to countries in the Baltic region. So far, the confrontation has produced only isolated incidents, such as drone incursions into these countries’ territory — but tensions are rising. Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and…
As Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year, experts are warning that Russia also poses a growing threat to countries in the Baltic region. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, in particular, are concerned about the potential for a full-scale invasion from the east. Historian Alexey Uvarov explains that the region has faced similar threats in the past and has struggled to defend itself against powerful neighbors.
After World War I, the Baltic countries attempted to form a defense alliance. Representatives from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland held 15 conferences on cooperation between 1919 and 1925. They even drafted an agreement establishing a regional alliance in August 1920. However, disputes over Vilnius between Lithuania and Poland prevented the alliance from taking effect.
Despite signing a new agreement in 1922, the countries ultimately failed to create a functioning system of collective defense. The failure of the region to form a united defense alliance illustrates the limits of regional cooperation without a powerful outside guarantor.
Written by urgent.news from Meduza (English)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
