Case Study: The Withdrawal of Russian Military Forces from the Baltic States

Abstract

Abstract : With the abrupt demuse of the USSR in 1991, the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia regained the independence they had lost at the start of the Second World War The opportunity for these new states to consolidate their sovereignty and build a stable future was clouded by one overriding geostrategic reality Russia's continued dominating presence in the region The Baltic littoral had been part of the Russian and Soviet empires with only sporadic interruption for more than two centuries. The history of harsh rule by Moscow had bred few optimists among the poets, professors and provincial politicians who found themselves thrust into positions of national leadership. Their strategic objective was unambiguous to seize this chance to make a clean break with the Soviet past and begin reintegrating the Baltic states into Western economic and political systems As they set about this task, though they soon confronted a dilemma all roads to full Baltic sovereignty seemed to cut across what Russia viewed as its vital national interests. Resolving this dilemma was nothing less than a question of national survival, but as relatively weak, newly-independent states, the Baltics had little leverage to bring to bear in their dealings with Russia.