The three Baltic states have called on NATO to send more troops into the region amid fears of a Russian attack, urging the US-led bloc to bolster its presence as much as tenfold, but officials from other member nations say it’s doubtful the requests will be fulfilled.
The organization remains skeptical over new deployments in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing seven diplomats and senior officials from leading NATO allies. While the region hosted around 5,000 multinational troops prior to Russia’s assault on Ukraine in February, the three countries have asked for between 15,000 and 50,000 soldiers in total.
“The Baltic states will not each get enough NATO troops to create a division,” a NATO diplomat said, referring to a lower-end request for up to 15,000 soldiers. “Whatever is decided must be sustainable.”