NATO Actions Don’t Deter Russia, but Merely Irritate – French Media

NATO’s commander chose the wrong strategy in relation to Russia, French politician Cyrille Bret said on Atlantico’s news website.

NATO conducted large scale military drills in the Baltic Sea from June 5-15. More than 5,000 military personnel and nearly 50 ships from 17 countries were involved in the action.

Although the exercises looked impressive and showcased the power of the military alliance, as well as good coordination between its member states, their message was wrong, Bret said.

"NATO maneuvers have an irritating nature to Russian authorities rather than deterring," Bret said, according to Atlantico.

The North-Atlantic military alliance needs more tact in relations with Russia. Continuous threats, promises to expand the alliance into Ukraine, the uber-tough stance from former Secretary General Rasmussen and then Stoltenberg, as well as plans to deploy missiles in Eastern Europe, are all unnecessary provocations against Russia, the French political scientist said.

"A more careful and long-term relationship would be more effective," Bret said.

After the fall of Soviet Union, NATO lost its enemy. But now with the new confrontation with Russia, it is beneficial to the military alliance, as it gives NATO a new raison d'être, the political expert said.

@DanielleRyanJ Orwellian rhetoric. Look at the map and see who is aggressive, Russia or NATO. @Mukha_Kaloev pic.twitter.com/bvnEsrKcnt

— Nenad Jovanovic (@DracoDoclean) 10 июня 2015

This line of thinking is wrong for NATO. Current disagreements between the West and Russia are not the same as those that were between the West and Soviet Union.

"The ideological confrontation disappeared, the struggle for spheres of influence decreased and economic competition is now irrelevant. NATO should change its approach," Bret concluded, as cited by Atlantico.