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
DetlefK
(16,423 posts)...but distrust against the US.
Demeter
(85,373 posts)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.
Lurks Often
(5,455 posts)is more of a driver in Germany's thinking then the economic impact of the US moving it's military east to Poland and the Baltic states.
Demeter
(85,373 posts)Not impossible, just a huge change.
treestar
(82,383 posts)And Germany by history is also a country they need protection from. I don't blame Poland at all for wanting outside help and assurance.