The Baltic States' Security Policies after the 2014 Ukrainian Crisis

Prije nego je Rusija započela svoju agresiju na Ukrajinu – Litva, Latvija i Estonija uživale su višu razinu sigurnosti zahvaljujući članstvu u NATO savezu i Europskoj uniji. No, ruska okupacija Krima i intenziviranje sukoba u istočnoj Ukrajini 2014. poljuljale su iluziju o mirnom i obostrano korisnom odnosu Ruske Federacije i baltičkih zemalja. Kao rezultat događaja 2014., došlo je do velikog pomaka u strateškom razmišljanju i političkim odlukama triju država u pogledu percepcije Ruske Federacije. Povijesno iskustvo, nacionalna manjina te ekonomska i energetska ovisnost o Rusiji stvorile su niz rizika u baltičkim zemljama. Iako članice NATO saveza i EU, baltičke zemlje počele su donositi niz promjena u nacionalnim sigurnosnim politikama kao mjere odvraćanja Ruske Federacije. Premda mnoga istraživanja ukazuju kako je moguća vojna ugroza ovih susjednih država neznatna, promjene koje su uslijedile nakon 2014. otkrivaju nam drugačije stanje. Svaka od država učinila je specifične promjene u sigurnosnim politikama, a pitanje regionalizma ponovno je dobilo na važnosti.Before Russia began its aggression against Ukraine - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia had felt a higher level of security due to their membership in NATO and the European Union. However, the Russian occupation of Crimea and the intensification of the conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014 has shook the illusion of a peaceful and mutually beneficial relationship between the Russian Federation and the Baltic countries. As a result of the events of 2014, there was a big shift in the strategic thinking and political decisions of the three countries regarding the perception of the Russian Federation. Historical experience, national minority, and economic and energy dependence on Russia have created a number of risks in the Baltic countries. Although members of NATO and the EU, the Baltic countries have begun to bring about a number of changes in national security policies as a deterrent to the Russian Federation. Although many studies indicate that the possible military threat to these neighboring states is negligible, the changes that followed after 2014 reveal a different situation. Each of the states has made specific changes in security policies, and the issue of regionalism has regained its importance