The Future of the Baltic Region: Powder Keg or Model of Peaceful Coexistence? Open Discussion
The Future of the Baltic Region: Powder Keg or Model of Peaceful Coexistence? Open Discussion of the Expert Dialogue in Partnership With Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University Relations between Russia and Western countries remain extremely tense on the military-political front. Military spending is increasing, defence industries and armed forces are being modernized. The Baltic Sea region is the most dangerous area of contact between Russia and NATO. The participants of the open discussion of the Valdai Discussion Club expert dialogue in partnership with Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University discussed if a maritime blockade in the region is possible. What consequences could it have? How can the escalation be controlled? Who would benefit and who would stand to lose? Due to the specific nature of the air and sea borders, incidents in both the air and at sea are highly likely. The sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, the periodic detentions of ships travelling from Russia, and incidents involving drones have already created an explosive environment. The UK's initiative to create a maritime alliance to contain Russia could be another step towards escalating the crisis. The current conditions require an assessment of possible scenarios of political and military escalation, once again raising questions about transit from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad, about the security of the Kaliningrad region, as well as the freedom of navigation in the Baltic Sea and beyond. The situation surrounding Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz also provide an opportunity to analyse a similar scenario in the Baltic Sea.
The Future of the Baltic Region: Powder Keg or Model of Peaceful Coexistence? Open Discussion of the Expert Dialogue in Partnership With Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University Relations between Russia and Western countries remain extremely tense on the military-political front. Military spending is increasing, defence industries and armed forces are being modernized. The Baltic Sea region is the most dangerous area of contact between Russia and NATO. The participants of the open discussion of the Valdai Discussion Club expert dialogue in partnership with Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University discussed if a maritime blockade in the region is possible. What consequences could it have? How can the escalation be controlled? Who would benefit and who would stand to lose? Due to the specific nature of the air and sea borders, incidents in both the air and at sea are highly likely. The sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, the periodic detentions of ships travelling from Russia, and incidents involving drones have already created an explosive environment. The UK's initiative to create a maritime alliance to contain Russia could be another step towards escalating the crisis. The current conditions require an assessment of possible scenarios of political and military escalation, once again raising questions about transit from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad, about the security of the Kaliningrad region, as well as the freedom of navigation in the Baltic Sea and beyond. The situation surrounding Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz also provide an opportunity to analyse a similar scenario in the Baltic Sea.