Trunov Philipp Olegovich – Ph.D. in political sciences, senior researcher INION RAS
The article undermines the forms and course of politicaldiplomatic cooperation of Germany with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the decision of security questions, first of all on the regional level. In this context the author pays attention to the development both of fourlateral (in the format B3+1) and bilateral formats. The article shows German’s will to prevent the escalation of tension between the West and Russia, especially in the Baltic region. In this regard the gradual build-up of German military presence under NATO auspices has two main goals. The first one is German readiness to the concerns of the Baltic partners towards the «Russian threat» by providing them new security guarantees. Another goal is to demonstrate to Russia German readiness to defend the partners` interests. The article explores German contribution into increasing of defense capabilities of Baltic states. The research paper shows dynamics of more of Bundeswehr personnel and military equipment to the navy (permanent sea and permanent counter-mines groups) and air (Baltic Air Policing mission) NATO military groups in Baltic region. The article explores the questions of German participation in recruitment of battalion tactical group of NATO forward presence forces in Lithuania and creation together with Lithuanian armed forces (the brigade «Iron Wolf») of multinational military group. In this regard the article explores the models of national armed forces building up in Baltic states. The scientific paper shows the dynamics of military exercises with Bundeswehr participation in Baltic region and Baltic sea, their direction, military and political importance. The paper concludes on the role of Lithuania as a key partner for Germany among Baltic states and also on the perspectives of German cooperation with all Baltic states in military-political sphere.
Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, security, NATO, foreign policy, diplomacy
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