Baltic NATO states and Poland have signaled their readiness to send troops into Ukraine if Russian forces achieve a significant breakthrough in their renewed assault on northeastern Ukraine. This potential deployment reflects growing concerns among these nations about the broader implications of Russian aggression and a perceived insufficient response from Western allies.
The Baltic region’s sense of urgency is exacerbated by what some describe as Germany’s “half hearted” support for Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has maintained a strict policy against Ukraine using German-made weapons to strike Russian territory, aiming to prevent the conflict from escalating into a larger war. Scholz reaffirmed his position during a May 26 interview with Tagesschau television, emphasizing the need for clear rules governing the supply of German weapons to Ukraine.
The German stance contrasts with recent discussions within the U.S. administration, where the White House is reportedly considering relaxing its restrictions on the use of American weapons by Ukrainian forces.
Baltic politicians have expressed their concerns directly to German officials at the Lennart Meri Conference on foreign and security policy in Tallinn. According to a report by Der Spiegel, these representatives warned that if Western support remains insufficient and Russia achieves a strategic breakthrough in eastern Ukraine, they would not hesitate to deploy troops to assist Ukraine, potentially making NATO a direct participant in the conflict. This sentiment was echoed by Polish and Baltic state MPs, who emphasized the urgency of acting before Russian forces reach their borders.
The heightened alertness of the Baltic states is not new. In March 2024, ambassadors from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania warned of the existential threat posed by Russia, noting the ease with which Russia’s war-hardened military could pivot towards the Baltic region. These concerns were articulated in a joint article in The Telegraph on the 20th anniversary of their NATO membership.
The possibility of deploying Western troops in Ukraine has been discussed at various levels. French President Emmanuel Macron and Czech President Petr Pavel have both suggested that Europe should not limit its support for Ukraine, including considering the presence of foreign troops. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas also noted that some countries have already sent military instructors to Ukraine.
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