Expert Military Historian Sönke Neitzel Sounds the Alarm
Ukraine would, in effect, be a member of NATO under these circumstances.
Renowned German historian Sönke Neitzel paints a worrying picture of our future. He warns Europe should brace itself against Russian domination within five years, but his immediate concern lies elsewhere.
Historian Sönke Neitzel, a faculty member at the University of Potsdam, is raising the alarm bells for Europe. "If we don't shore up our defenses internally, we'll find ourselves under the grip of a Russia-ruled world order in the next half-decade," he told a leading publication recently. According to Neitzel, this order could result in the reopening of Nord Stream 2, disarming the Baltics, and the incorporation of Estonia, among other drastic measures.
"Then, we'd have 'peace,' but is that the world we want?" questions Neitzel. He's troubled by the prospect of half a billion liberals being dictated to by just 140 million Russians. "I can't fathom how this ideological divide can be bridged through diplomacy unless we submit to extortion."
Neitzel believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin will never accept European troops in Ukraine, especially if they're well-equipped and can defend the airspace. He further asserts that such a move could effectively make Ukraine a NATO nation in practice.
Neitzel speculates that the recent strategies initiated by Britain and France may be strategic plays aimed at appealing to U.S. President Trump to reopen negotiations. He believes these tactics risk exposing the insignificance of Europe on the global stage, leading them to display strength to safeguard their involvement.
Anxious About Zapad Exercises
Neitzel expresses significant worry over Russia's planned Zapad military exercises this fall. These drills could lay the groundwork for another war. "Poland and the Baltics are on high alert, fearing this could lead to a surprise attack on the Baltic. It could be a limited offensive to test NATO or deliver a political knockout if there's no response," warns Neitzel.
However, Neitzel considered it improbable that Putin would launch an attack on the Baltic as long as the Ukraine conflict remains at its current intensity. Given these circumstances, he urges Europe to continue supporting Ukraine.
Enrichment Data Insight:
- By making Ukraine de facto part of NATO, the country could benefit from increased security and improved defense capabilities, but this may escalate tensions with Russia and pose a risk of conflict.
- Alternatives to full NATO membership for Ukraine include deepening economic integration with Western countries or establishing a crisis consultation mechanism with major powers for conflict resolution.
Source: ntv.de, gho
- Historian Sönke Neitzel, concerned about the internal strengths of Europe, has warned that if not addressed promptly, Europe may find itself subject to a Russia-dominated world order within the next five years, potentially resulting in the reopening of Nord Stream 2, disarming the Baltics, and the incorporation of Estonia, among other drastic measures.
- Neitzel believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin will never accept European troops in Ukraine, especially if they're well-equipped and able to defend the airspace, which could potentially make Ukraine a de facto NATO nation.
- Neitzel voices significant worry over Russia's planned Zapad military exercises this fall, asserting that these drills could lay the groundwork for another war, with Poland and the Baltics on high alert, fearing they could lead to a surprise attack on the Baltic. However, he considers it unlikely that Putin would launch an attack on the Baltic as long as the Ukraine conflict remains at its current intensity.
