Publication

This paper discusses the effect that Russia's annexation of Crimea in early 2014 had on its relationship with NATO and how the Alliance should respond to Moscow's actions. The author contends that the annexation ruined the already fragile degree of trust Russia had with NATO and that NATO now faces the difficult task of a thorough review of its relationship with the county. In terms of NATO’s response, he argues that its top priorities should be to enhance deterrence and defense capabilities of the members neighboring Russia and to improve the measures in place in Europe which aim to prevent the escalation of military tensions.