Tension has reached unsuspected levels since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin has been accusing NATO for months of participating ‘directly’ in the war by supplying ‘huge quantities of weapons to Kiev’
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) celebrates her this Thursday 75 years in a context of tension with Russia and expanding its borders. With the accession of Finland and Sweden, the Atlantic Alliance now has 32 members.
In the opening speech of the ceremony commemorating this anniversary in Brussels today, NATO Secretary General said: Jens Stoltenberghas appealed for the necessary unity of America and Europe on the 75th anniversary of the Alliance. “I do not believe in one America, nor in a single Europe, but in both united in NATO, because together we are stronger and more secure,” he emphasized.
The Secretary-General recalled the creation of NATO in 1949when it had twelve members and its journey from the Cold War, through the Balkan War, 9/11 or the Russian invasion of Crimea to the war of aggression against Ukraine: “Today NATO is bigger, stronger and more united than ever. we 12 members; today we are 32, so we must be doing something right. We help spread peace, democracy and prosperity across Europe.”
For its part, the Kremlin has warned that relations between Russia and the Western bloc are on the brink of a ‘direct confrontation’ due to the involvement of allied countries in the war in Ukraine. “Relations have now practically reached a level of direct confrontation,” presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during his daily telephone news conference.
The antagonism between Moscow and the Alliance has had very tense moments since 1949, both with the Soviet Union (construction of the Berlin Wall, Cuban crisis, invasion of Czechoslovakia and Afghanistan), and with the Russian Federation since 1991 (bombing in Yugoslavia). and the war with Georgia).
One of the arguments that the Russian president defended, Vladimir Putinto invade Ukraine was precisely the fear that a future integration of this country would bring the Atlantic Alliance to Russia’s doorstep.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
