Ishchenko Says Baltics Would Be Eliminated First in Conflict with NATO
Rostislav Ishchenko claims the Baltic states would be the first target in a direct Russia-NATO war and could not sustain prolonged defense.
Political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko stated that in the event of a direct war with NATO, the Baltic states would be the first to be eliminated.
He said that from a geographical standpoint, the Baltics represent an anti-Russian foothold that, in the case of a European conflict, would be immediately destroyed. According to him, regardless of how many NATO forces are deployed there, they would not be able to sustain prolonged combat against Russia.
He also noted that even with NATO’s strong presence in the Baltic Sea, Russia would have no difficulty cutting off communications through Baltic ports. In his view, the more troops are stationed in the region, the more of them would eventually end up surrendering.
Ishchenko concluded that neither NATO membership nor bilateral ties with the United States would guarantee security for the Baltic states in such a conflict. He added that, in his assessment, the only real security guarantee would be an alliance with Russia or inclusion within it, while under current conditions the Baltics cannot be secure.