Latest Breaking News

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts) Wed Jun 25, 2014, 05:08 AM Jun 2014

Germans oppose permanent NATO base in Poland and Baltics - poll

Source: Thompson Reuters

BERLIN, June 25 (Reuters) - Nearly three quarters of Germans would oppose NATO having permanent NATO military bases in eastern Europe as requested by Poland and the Baltic states because of a perceived threat from Russia, according to a new poll released on Wednesday.

Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia - all former members of the Soviet bloc - have been among the loudest voices calling for tough sanctions on Russia for the annexation of the Crimean peninsula and have expressed concern about their own borders.

They count on the Western military alliance for support and have called for a bigger and in some cases a permanent NATO presence. Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas told Reuters last week that Western allies must "open your eyes" to the threat.

Russia is an important trading partner for Germany and the source of more than a third of its gas - a relationship that has encouraged caution in Chancellor Angela Merkel's response.

Read more: http://www.trust.org/item/20140625083816-qv8l0

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Germans oppose permanent NATO base in Poland and Baltics - poll (Original Post) dipsydoodle Jun 2014 OP

I guess, the reason is not support for Russia... DetlefK Jun 2014 #1

I rather suspect it's Germany's desire to have the monopoly Demeter Jun 2014 #2

Agreed, although I think the desire not to annoy Russia Lurks Often Jun 2014 #4

Well, that would be a first for Germany, to not annoy Russia. Demeter Jun 2014 #5

If those countries want it, too bad treestar Jun 2014 #3

If they want it then they can fund it and staff it. TheKentuckian Jun 2014 #6

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)

1. I guess, the reason is not support for Russia...

Reply to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Wed Jun 25, 2014, 06:37 AM

Jun 2014

...but distrust against the US.

Demeter

(85,373 posts)

2. I rather suspect it's Germany's desire to have the monopoly

Reply to DetlefK (Reply #1)

Wed Jun 25, 2014, 07:25 AM

Jun 2014

American-funded NATO bases are a huge source of jobs and revenue, prestige, and the psychological benefits of "feeling protected" without having to lay out cash for standing army, navy, air force.

I think Germany behaves shamefully towards its neighbors, in the Eurozone or not.

That said, I think NATO should be wound down, and Russia incorporated into the neighborhood, not isolated.