Putin’s Neighbors Are Preparing for Total War: Europe Take Note | Opinion
Summary
Countries near Russia, especially Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and Latvia, are preparing strongly for possible war by increasing their defense budgets and readiness. These countries have learned from their difficult history with Russia and are building strong defenses, while many Western European countries have reduced military forces since the Cold War.Key Facts
- NATO members agreed in 2025 to spend 5% of their GDP on defense to protect against threats.
- Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and Latvia are near Russia’s border and lead in defense spending and preparedness.
- Poland’s defense spending is estimated at 4.3% of GDP; Lithuania at 4%, Latvia 3.7%, and Estonia 3.4%.
- Smaller countries like Estonia (population 1.34 million) have focused on total war readiness, not just budgets.
- These nations suffered under Soviet occupation and repression until the 1990s.
- Estonia faced cyberattacks from Russia in 2007 after a dispute over a Soviet war memorial.
- Russia’s military actions in Georgia (2008) and Crimea (2014) have increased Baltic and Polish concerns.
- Western European countries reduced military size after the Cold War, relying more on NATO and the U.S., while Baltic states and Poland increased defense efforts.
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