&w=3840&q=100)
Is Putin using Trump to kill Nato?
Counting on US President Donald Trump's non-commitment to Nato, Russian leader Vladimir Putin appears to be preparing the groundwork to render the military alliance meaningless. Here is how build-up near Finland's border could be the first step. read more
Russia is counting on US President Donald Trump to render the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) meaningless.
Russia appears to have started laying the groundwork for Nato's demise with military deployment along its border with Finland — the nation joined Nato in 2023.
While the United States had been the driving force of Nato for generations, Trump has essentially withdrawn from the military alliance in his second term. On the campaign trail, he said that he would encourage Russia to invade Nato members and 'do whatever the hell they want' if they would not do his bidding.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
As Trump remains not just non-committal to Nato but outright hostile, the alliance's basis of collective defence is under threat. It appears that Russia plans to needle Nato members in the coming years to erode the collective defence principle and render the alliance meaningless.
Russia ramps up military infra along Finland's border
In recent months, Russia has ramped up military infrastructure and deployment along the 830 mile-long (1,336.75 kilometers) border with Finland, according to satellite imagery obtained and analysed by The New York Times.
The imagery shows row after row of tents, new warehouses for military vehicles, beefed up shelters for fighter plane, and construction at a helicopter base.
Once the intense war with Ukraine ends or slows down, Russia could redeploy several thousands of soldiers along with heavy equipment along Finland's border to arm-twist Nato, according to analysts.
It looks like that Putin is preparing for war with NATO.
Russia is building up military forces near the border with Finland - constructing bases, bunkers, training grounds, and other military infrastructure in the area.
1/n pic.twitter.com/v3GUx4Zd50 — Roman Sheremeta 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@rshereme) May 19, 2025
The Times reported Finnish government as saying that it has up to five years before Russia could amass forces across the border to threatening levels.
Other than the infrastructure described above, the satellite imagery also shows that Russia has also ramped up military presence and infrastructure in the general Arctic region near the border, according to the newspaper.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
ALSO READ: 3 years of Ukraine war: Zelenskyy stands cornered and betrayed as Trump mainstreams Putin
Russian helicopters have returned to a base near the Artic port city of Murmansk after more than two decades. Dozens of fighter planes have been deployed at the Olenya air base in the same region. Both of these bases are within 200 kms of the border with Finland.
Another base just 64 kms from Finnish border, at a place called Kamenka, has more than a hundred new tents, as per satellite imagery.
'They are expanding their brigades into divisions, which means that the units near our borders will grow significantly — by thousands,' Emil Kastehelmi, an analyst with the Black Bird Group told The Times.
Can Putin render Nato meaningless with such moves?
To be sure, analysts do not expect Vladimir Putin to make a move now when Russia is completely engaged in the war in Ukraine.
However, once the war ends in Ukraine or goes into a low-intensity mode, Russia is bound to turn its attention to its other neighbours.
Trump has made it clear that he is not interested in a peace deal that ends the war respectably for Ukraine or deters Russia from further military invasions of Europe. In fact, in a call with Putin on Monday, he endorsed the Russian position on the war and, in a blow to Ukraine and its European partners, gave up his own call for a 30-day ceasefire.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
It is not just on Ukraine that Trump and Putin are on the same page. They appear to be on the same page regarding Europe and the world at large too.
Putin invaded Ukraine out of his ideological commitment to the restoration of the sphere of influence that was lost with the fall of the Soviet Union. Trump believes in the same sphere of influence concept and the two leaders appear to have an understanding where Trump carves out his sphere in the Americas and Putin carves out his sphere in Europe. Hence Trump has abandoned Nato commitments in Europe and Putin is silent about US expansionism in Americas and Atlantic where Trump has announced he would annex Greenland island, Canada, and Panama Canal.
ALSO READ: In 100 days, Trump jolts settled ties and treaties to sow new global order
There are indications that European nations would hesitate to take military action against Russia without US support — even though the United Kingdom has been working on a 'coalition of the willing' to militarily support Ukraine, it has said it would not deploy soldiers to Ukraine without US support. Such US support would not be expected under Trump — or a successor who shares Trump's worldview.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
This would mean that Putin would need to mount incursions into smaller Nato members that share borders with Russia.
If these nations fail to respond on their own or fellow Nato nations fail to mobilise militarily to their defence under the collective defence principle, Nato would be essentially dead as there would be essentially no Nato without the collective defence principle, according to Jamie Metzl, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council who previously served in the White House National Security Council.
'If Putin gets anything resembling a victory in Ukraine, what he is going to do next is to needle a Nato member, such as Lithuania, and even if Russia goes just 50 feet inside Lithuania, the country is understandably going to invoke Article 5. If Nato fails to mobilise in Lithuania's support, then the collective defence principle of Nato would be dead and Putin would have defeated Nato with just a minor incursion with perhaps a small contingent of 'little green men' that he used in Crimea,' Metzl previously told Firstpost.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The build-up near Finland's border appears to be a preparation for such needling that threatens to render Nato meaningless.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump condemns ‘terrible shooting' of Minnesota lawmakers, calls it a targeted attack
US President Donald Trump on Saturday condemned what he described as the 'terrible shooting' of two Democratic state lawmakers in Minnesota, calling it a targeted act of violence that must not be tolerated. 'I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against state lawmakers,' Trump said in a statement. 'Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.' The shooting spree, which took place Saturday morning in two towns near Minneapolis, killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and left state Senator John Hoffman and his wife wounded. Authorities believe the attack was politically motivated. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed the details during a press conference, calling it 'an assassination' and urging the nation to stand against all forms of political violence. 'Those responsible for this will be held accountable,' he said. The suspect, who fled after exchanging gunfire with officers, was reportedly posing as a law enforcement officer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Authorities say the individual used a vehicle that looked identical to a police SUV and exploited public trust in uniformed personnel. 'This is a betrayal of what our uniforms represent,' said Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson. A shelter-in-place order was issued Saturday morning as a multi-agency manhunt, including the FBI, continued. US Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed federal support for the investigation, calling the killings 'horrific' and promising prosecution 'to the fullest extent of the law.' Gabrielle Giffords, the former congresswoman and gun violence survivor, said, 'An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself.'
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Tanks, thunder, and Trump: The military parade that split America
Amid traffic jams, military flyovers, and thousands of troops marching down Constitution Avenue, the United States Army celebrated its 250th anniversary on Saturday. But it wasn't just about history. It was also President Donald Trump's 79th birthday — a detail that has split public opinion and overshadowed the event's original intent. The scale was massive: 6,700 soldiers, 150 vehicles including tanks and howitzers, and more than 50 aircraft. Fighter jets, including the Air Force's Thunderbirds — a last-minute addition at Trump's request — were among the parade's highlights. 'I think it's time for us to celebrate a little bit. You know, we've had a lot of victories,' Trump said earlier in the week. 'It is my birthday, but I'm not celebrating my birthday,' he insisted, pointing instead to Flag Day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Enlarged Prostate Has Nothing to Do with Age. Just Stop Doing This One Common Thing! Health Benefits Undo It was the first national military parade of this scale since 1991, when troops returned home victorious from the Gulf War. Among the highlights: tanks on urban roads, a White House parachute flag-drop, and a flyover. Trump, stationed at his own reviewing stand, called it 'a celebration of our country' and 'of the Army, actually.' But protests are mounting, weather warnings loomed, and concerns about the parade's cost and purpose deepened — especially as it occurred while the U.S. military engages in controversial operations at home and abroad. Live Events 'This would make great TV' The idea took root last year. At a long-running Army pageant called the 'Twilight Tattoo,' General Randy George and Army spokesperson Col. Dave Butler were hosting media executives when one leaned over and said, 'This would make great television,' according to Butler. From there, things escalated. The Army was already looking for ways to mark its milestone. The suggestion of turning their ceremonial show into a full-blown parade landed without resistance. 'We wanted to reintroduce this nation's Army to the American people,' Butler said. 'To do that, we thought we needed to be in their living rooms and on their phones. We needed something that would catch the national eye.' With Trump's interest piqued — a former media executive who had previously tried and failed to stage a military parade — the door opened. 'It was like knocking on an unlocked door,' said one planning official. Millions in costs, disruptions, and doubts Not everyone is clapping. A poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center shows nearly 60% of Americans think the parade is a poor use of government money. The Army has estimated its own logistics could cost up to $45 million. Security, air traffic closures, and city disruptions will drive the price higher. 'I remain concerned about it, I have to tell you,' said Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. 'These are, for the most part, local streets, and if they're rendered unusable, we have to make them usable and then go seek our money from the feds.' The city is already bracing for road closures, suspended flights, and potential damage to infrastructure. Tanks have been spotted rolling down Rhode Island Avenue, escorted by police. Steel plates and rubber pads have been deployed along the route to mitigate damage, according to Army spokesperson Heather J. Hagan, who said the expected road damage would be 'minimal.' 'A prop for the President' The backlash hasn't been limited to cost. Democrat Senator Tammy Duckworth , a former Army officer, called the parade 'Donald Trump's birthday parade,' accusing the president of exploiting the event for his own image. 'It's to stroke his own ego and make taxpayers foot the bill,' she said. Critics have compared the event to military displays in Russia or North Korea — performative demonstrations of power under authoritarian regimes. Local advisory commissioners have passed resolutions calling for the parade's cancellation, saying it reflects 'authoritarian governments more than democracies.' Samuel Port, a former Army logistics officer and now unemployed contractor, summed up a common sentiment: 'Trump is using this as an excuse to prop himself up. It demeans the soldiers because it's using them as a political prop.' Flashpoints: Immigration raids, Iran aid and public disapproval The parade comes at a sensitive time. Just one day earlier, the United States began assisting Israel's defence against Iranian missile attacks. And earlier in the week, Trump deployed both National Guard and Marine forces to Southern California to suppress protests against immigration raids. The president bypassed state authority in doing so, drawing legal and political scrutiny. 'The President is deploying the American military to police the American people,' Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee , told Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during hearings this week. 'Sending the Marines — not after foreign threats, but after American protesters... should stop every one of us cold.' According to a new NBC News/Decision Desk poll released Saturday morning, 64% of Americans disapprove of the parade. Many cite both the financial burden and the optics of military power being used domestically. 'I wouldn't have done it,' said Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), likening the display to Soviet-era demonstrations. 'We were proud not to be that.' Pomp, power, and the President's image The parade also drew comparisons to past authoritarian spectacles. Trump, who has long admired large-scale military demonstrations, first pushed for a parade of this kind after visiting France's Bastille Day celebration in 2017. That effort stalled during his first term, but the 250th Army anniversary provided the perfect excuse. Critics say this was not merely about honouring service. 'It's a stupid order,' said retired Rear Admiral Ken Carodine. 'But it's a legal order. Most of the guys organising or marching in this thing, it's the last thing they want to be doing.' Presidential historian Barbara Perry from the University of Virginia noted the personalisation of the event. 'Usually it's about the personnel,' she said. 'If [Trump] views it as 'his generals' or 'his military,' and ties it to his birthday — that's what's different.' Trump, however, insists the parade is not about him. 'It will be a parade like we haven't had in many, many decades here,' he said this week. 'And it's a celebration of our country.' Weather threatens parade, not public backlash Despite forecasts warning of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms, federal officials opted to proceed with the event as scheduled. The parade was set to begin at 6:30 p.m., following a day of commemorations along the National Mall. For Trump, the parade marks a symbolic high point following his return to the presidency in the 2024 elections. Supporters see it as a reaffirmation of strength and patriotism. But detractors view it as a diversion from failed foreign policy pledges, especially regarding the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. The president had campaigned on promises to end these conflicts. But the parade's timing — against the backdrop of ongoing deployments and incomplete missions — raises questions about whether the event is celebrating victory, or distracting from the lack of it. 'No Kings': Protesters reject militarisation Demonstrations have erupted in Washington and across the country, organised under the slogan 'No Kings.' Activists accuse the president of using military force to bolster his own image. Trump has warned protesters that they 'will be met with very big force,' echoing his broader posture on dissent. That rhetoric has only intensified criticism that the commander-in-chief is merging military spectacle with authoritarian messaging. Local leaders are also frustrated. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed concerns over costs and disruptions. Neighbourhood commissioners passed resolutions calling the parade 'a grotesque spectacle.' And with tanks rolling through streets that recently saw the forced removal of homeless encampments, many see the juxtaposition as deliberate. 'It's appalling that we're spending $45 million on a parade after kicking out the most vulnerable residents of our neighbourhood,' said local commissioner Jim Malec. A parade for whom? Unlike the parades following the Civil War, World Wars I and II, or even Desert Storm — all tied to clear victories — this event lacks a unifying triumph. 'The U.S. is not coming off any war victory,' said Carodine. 'Nobody had a parade for the kids coming back from Afghanistan. That would have made a lot more sense than what we're doing tomorrow.' America's recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have left a mixed legacy. The Afghanistan conflict formally ended in 2021 under a deal negotiated by Trump and executed by President Joe Biden. Many veterans returned home quietly, without recognition or celebration. For some, this parade is a missed opportunity — one that honours political ambition more than military service.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Russia And Ukraine Exchange Prisoners, But Moscow Says No War Dead Received
Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners-of-war (POWs) on Saturday, the Russian defence ministry said, and Russia handed over the bodies of 1,200 dead Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv. The exchanges are part of agreements reached by the warring sides during talks in Istanbul earlier this month. Ukraine earlier on Saturday confirmed it had received the bodies of its soldiers killed in action. However, Russian state media reported, citing sources, that Moscow had not received any of its war dead back from Kyiv, echoing a statement Russia made on Friday, when it said it had returned the bodies of 1,200 slain Ukrainian soldiers and received none of its own. The Russian defence ministry did not say how many POWs were involved in the swap with Ukraine on Saturday, but it posted video showing its soldiers holding Russian flags and cheering before boarding a bus. The Russian soldiers are in Belarus, where they are receiving medical treatment before transfer back to Russia, the defence ministry said.
