On Nato's 75th anniversary, members deliberate how to deter Russia

Amid Ukraine's struggle, fears grow Putin could invade Baltic states

- Jonathan Eyal

Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation are now in "direct confrontation", a spokesman for the Russian government warned, as the US-led military alliance in Europe marked its 75th anniversary on April 4 with elaborate ceremonies at its headquarters in the Belgian capital.

Mr Dmitry Peskov, the official spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed that Nato is "already involved in the conflict surrounding Ukraine" and that the alliance "continues to move towards (Russia's) borders and expand its military infrastructure".

A confrontation between the two, Mr Peskov added, is now a simple fact.

Foreign ministers from Nato's 32 member states have dismissed Russia's protests, saying that their assistance to Ukraine and increased military expenditure are designed only to maintain continental stability.

"Nato and its partners must stand united to defend a global order governed by law, not by force," said Mr Jens Stoltenberg, the former Norwegian prime minister who heads the alliance.

Nonetheless, the Russian statement of hostility appears to confirm fears expressed in an unusual warning by top diplomats from northern European countries, who recently stated that they are about to face Russian military aggression. They said it could pose an "existential challenge" to their independent existence.

Nato's foreign ministers devoted most of their time in Brussels to discussions on what they can do to alleviate Ukraine's increasingly dire military situation.

This is partly due to acute shortages of ammunition in Europe and partly a result of political paralysis in Washington, where opposition from Republicans in the US Congress has prevented the approval of a proposed US$60 billion (S$80 billion) package of American military assistance for Ukraine.