Due to its strategic geographical location, the Balkans have remained an invaluable crossroads where Russia competes with the West for influence.
In the past few years, NATO has zeroed in its focus on the Balkans. While this course of action does not pose a direct threat to any country, it has already heightened the tension between them and Russia.
In 2015, during Montenegro’s accession talks a spokesman for President Putin warned that “the continued expansion of NATO, of NATO military infrastructure in the east, cannot but lead to a response from the east, that is from Russia.”
With Montenegro officially joining NATO in 2017, Russia has once again threatened to retaliate; therefore making NATO’s discussion on their influence over the Balkans and their relations with Russia very relevant.
According to Norway, one way to sway the Balkans in their favor would be to “educate the people” as to the functionality of NATO. The representative for Slovakia supported this proposal fully, providing personal testimony as to the helpfulness of NATO’s “help to their economic state”.
Canada on the other hand believes in a gentler approach, and proposes that we “look at the cultural side of it”.
Regardless as to what their stance is, most countries agree that moving forward we must have a “strong diplomatic relationships with Russia”.
Although the simplest way to appease Russia would be to halt the expansion of the Balkans altogether, another possible course of action would be to continue to expand rapidly.
Many countries were against both of these solutions, especially Poland who made a passionate speech in which he claims “military force is not the language of the 21st century” and that education is cooperation between nations are the keys to solving their issues.
However, it should be noted that a complete halt could be the only way to stop Russia from retaliating; additionally, it could relieve the stress on the global community and put Balkan nations who currently feel threatened at ease.
In the past few years, NATO has zeroed in its focus on the Balkans. While this course of action does not pose a direct threat to any country, it has already heightened the tension between them and Russia.
In 2015, during Montenegro’s accession talks a spokesman for President Putin warned that “the continued expansion of NATO, of NATO military infrastructure in the east, cannot but lead to a response from the east, that is from Russia.”
With Montenegro officially joining NATO in 2017, Russia has once again threatened to retaliate; therefore making NATO’s discussion on their influence over the Balkans and their relations with Russia very relevant.
According to Norway, one way to sway the Balkans in their favor would be to “educate the people” as to the functionality of NATO. The representative for Slovakia supported this proposal fully, providing personal testimony as to the helpfulness of NATO’s “help to their economic state”.
Canada on the other hand believes in a gentler approach, and proposes that we “look at the cultural side of it”.
Regardless as to what their stance is, most countries agree that moving forward we must have a “strong diplomatic relationships with Russia”.
Although the simplest way to appease Russia would be to halt the expansion of the Balkans altogether, another possible course of action would be to continue to expand rapidly.
Many countries were against both of these solutions, especially Poland who made a passionate speech in which he claims “military force is not the language of the 21st century” and that education is cooperation between nations are the keys to solving their issues.
However, it should be noted that a complete halt could be the only way to stop Russia from retaliating; additionally, it could relieve the stress on the global community and put Balkan nations who currently feel threatened at ease.