I am no fan of Putin or Russia, but the facts are the facts and can help explain the reasons behind Russian aggression in Europe. I briefly examine Eastern European history and dealings between the former USSR/Russia and the United States/NATO.
I will add a chronology of events and scary details about Operation Deutschland, NATO, and our cognitively impaired President Biden’s doings in a comment or a separate post. I must remind you that former SecDef Robert Gates said in his book that Biden was wrong on every foreign policy decision he ever made. It looks like that streak remains unbroken.
Rising Tensions: Understanding the Conflict in Eastern Europe Started with America’s Broken Promise to Gorbachev
Recent escalations in Eastern Europe have brought the United States, Ukraine, and Russia into a dangerous new phase of the conflict with a Chinese cargo ship that had left Russia being implicated in the Baltic Sea cable cuttings.
The use of American-made ATACMS long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike inside Russian territory, the deployment of British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and the suspected sabotage of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea underscore how this conflict is spiraling into broader geopolitical stakes.
To grasp why Russia reacts so strongly to these developments, we must look back at historical agreements and broken promises that have fueled distrust, particularly with NATO’s expanding closer to Mother Russia.
Biden Authorizes Offensive Missile Strikes into Russia
President Joe Biden recently approved Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to hit deep targets in Russia. This marks a major shift in American policy, as these precision weapons can strike Russian bases and supply lines. Following this, Ukraine deployed British-made Storm Shadow missiles, striking targets deep within Russian territory, including in the Kursk region. Both moves are seen as escalatory, allowing Ukraine to attack infrastructure vital to Russian operations.
These decisions were partly justified by reports of North Korea aiding Russia with troops and supplies. However, enabling Ukraine to strike Russian soil raises fears of direct NATO involvement, risking broader conflict with a nuclear-armed Russia.
Putin’s Nuclear Doctrine Shift
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reacted by revising Russia’s nuclear doctrine (although some reports say this change has been in the works for weeks).
The updated policy lowers the threshold for nuclear retaliation, allowing such a response if Russia is attacked with conventional weapons by a country supported by a nuclear-armed ally. This doctrine is a direct countermeasure to Ukraine’s missile strikes and NATO’s growing support, reflecting the Kremlin’s heightened sense of vulnerability.
Undersea Cable Sabotage
Tensions have also risen in the Baltic Sea, where undersea communication cables connecting Sweden, Lithuania, Finland, and Germany have been cut. These incidents of suspected deliberate sabotage disrupt communication and data flows across Europe. A Chinese cargo ship, Yi Peng 3, is being “shadowed” by a NATO country as part of an investigation, adding a layer of complexity to the geopolitical tension. Russia denies responsibility.
Preliminary findings suggest human interference as the cause, though no definitive conclusions have been drawn. If confirmed as sabotage, these actions highlight modern warfare’s reach into critical infrastructure, destabilizing regions far beyond the battlefield.
Russian Hypersonic Missile Russia’s war in Ukraine has escalated sharply. President Vladimir Putin announced continued testing and mass production of the “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile, which struck Dnipro Thursday. This follows the U.S. authorizing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russia. Putin claimed the missile is unstoppable by current defenses and revealed plans to develop similar systems. Both sides are deploying advanced weaponry, signaling a dangerous shift in the conflict’s intensity.
Operation Deutschland Germany is gearing up for Doomsday, European edition. Leaked documents reveal Berlin’s plan, “Operation Deutschland,” to prep for deploying 800,000 NATO troops, including Americans, into Ukraine. The 1,000-page blueprint details protected sites, civilian readiness, and moving 200,000 military vehicles—just in case World War III kicks off. Snug? Hardly.
See, Europe preps for WWIII as secret German docs reveal plans for 800K troops in case Russia invades NATO
A Missed Opportunity for Peace
The seeds of today’s mistrust were sown decades ago. In the 1990s, U.S. Secretary of State James Baker assured Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that NATO would not expand “one inch” eastward if Russia agreed to a German reunification. Yet, NATO has since expanded significantly, surrounding Russia with military forces. From Russia’s perspective, this broken promise justifies its deep mistrust and assertive responses.
What could have been a path to lasting cooperation became a growing rift between East and West. NATO’s expansion and the recent escalation in Ukraine have entrenched both sides in hostility, with opportunities for understanding long lost.
Conclusion
The escalation in Ukraine, NATO’s role, and Russia’s responses remind us of the fragility of peace when history is ignored. Offensive weapons and hybrid tactics now define the conflict, pushing the world closer to disaster. Understanding these historical dynamics is vital to finding a way forward before this conflict spirals out of control.
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Reading Time: ~3.5 minutes
Sources
1. Reuters, “Ukraine Fires UK Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles Into Russia”.
2. The Times, “Chinese Cargo Ship Detained After Baltic Sea Cables Severed”.
3. Newsmax, Rob Finnerty, various segments.
4. Jeffrey Sachs, commentaries on NATO expansion.
5. The New York Post, various articles.
6. Historical documents and agreements on NATO expansion.
7. Former SecDef Robert Gates.
8. NY Post story below.
9. Numerous other conservative and moderate podcasters and television guests on Newsmax.
10. The Great Courses Plus classes on The World Will Never Be the Same, multiple courses on The History of Eastern Europe. The eye-opener was Jeffrey Sachs Commentary
