Russian Affairs

Sarah Esplin

Background
After existing 20 years as
independent countries, the
Soviet Union illegally annexed
the Baltic states of Estonia,
Latvia, and Lithuania in June
1940. They would continue to
be part of the communist
country for nearly fifty years
until after the Soviet coup of
1991.

Background

The Soviet Union took over more than 16

sovereign countries during their reign.

It is no surprise Russia annexed the Crimean

peninsula in 2014.

Russias President, Vladimir Putin , claims they

are trying to reunite the Russian people who
are living in the peninsula.

Vladimir Putin
Putin during the USSR reign,
was a a member of the KGB,
as a spy for the state-security
machine that was responsible
for many of the Soviet Unions
own peoples deaths. He had to
be very devoted and very
cleaver. Given Putin's
background in working for the
KGB he was willing to use the
same dishonest ruthless
tactics.

Annexation of Crimea

When Russias Military un expectedly invaded the

Crimean peninsula, that rightfully belonged to
Ukraine, the international world was shocked and
angered. But due to their own countries conflicts,
none would fully stand up against Russia and instead
leveled sanctions against Russia.

Russia could use inaction to their advantage just like

Hitler did at the beginning of WWII with Poland.

Russia might not stop there and might extend their

boarder further into neighboring countries.

Threats

There have been reports of

missiles being sent to
Kaliningrad, which would be a
huge threat to Baltic States
like Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania.

Baltic States
being
Threatened

The Baltic States by

themselves have no
way of protecting
themselves against
the powerful Russia.

The world doesnt

want to go into
another world war, so
to prevent that,
someone needs to
stand up against
Russia and let them
know that they cant
just take whatever
territory they want
like the USSR did.

Resolution

Since all three of these Baltic

states are part of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO), the countries that are
part of this alliance should
send military aid in order to
deter Russia from attempting
to invade or seize territory
from them.
Each NATO country would
contribute military assistance
based on their proportional
economic strength relative to
the other countries as
measured by GDP.

However, NATO
shouldnt interfere
militarily with the
Ukrainian conflict as
this would be seen as a
direct threat by Russia
and escalate the
current conflict.