Why Russia Doubts NATO’s “Good” Intentions

Why Russia Doubts NATO’s “Good” Intentions

29 June 2022 by Larry Johnson

Americans are fed routinely the fantasy that NATO is a defensive organization. Just a group of soldiers, sailors, Marines and air crews minding their own business until the Russians attack Europe. But you can see for yourself in the following videos that the annual SEA BREEZE exercise run by NATO and EUCOM (i.e., U.S. European Command) that the activities of the military units are not “defensive.”

NATO even admitted that it was providing training in “offensive” operations. Have you heard about Zhytomyr? Did you know that NATO carried out cybersecurity training for Ukraine at Zhytomyr in September 2018 and described Ukraine as a “NATO PARTNER.“

If you are the Russian General charged with defending Mother Russia and you see this kind of activity on your border would you tell Vladimir Putin, “Ahh, NATO’s just playing. They mean no harm.”

What would Americans think if Russia conducted an annual military exercise like this with Mexico? We would be outraged and worried. We would naturally wonder, “why is Russia landing its troops on Mexican beaches?” This would be a direct challenge to the Monroe Doctrine. Russia would argue it is just helping Mexico to be prepared to defend itself. The United States has invaded Mexico, albeit almost 200 years ago. And the United States claimed Mexican territory as its own. You know, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. U.S. umbrage at Russia taking the Crimea rings a little hollow in light of our taking land by force from Mexico (i.e., 1836 and 1846 Mexican War).

One other thing to keep in mind in watching the videos of these exercises–the Russians are the target. These troops are not practicing to repel Martians or Chinese. They are training to kill Russians. That the Russians might be a little paranoid from watching these exercise from their shores is not a psychological disorder. Russian alarm about western intentions is grounded in western actions.

YouTube Videos:

U.S., Ukraine Begin Sea Breeze 2021 Exercise with 30 Other Countries

Jul 2, 2021

US MILITARY DEFENSE
The Navy and international partners on Monday began the annual Sea Breeze exercise in the Black Sea.
The drills, led by the U.S. and Ukraine, will continue through July 10, according to a Navy news release.
“This year’s iteration has the largest number of participating nations in the exercise’s history with 32 countries from six continents providing 5,000 troops, 32 ships, 40 aircraft, and 18 special operations and dive teams scheduled to participate,” the service said in the news release issued last week.
USS Ross‘ participation in this year’s Sea Breeze maritime exercise is a tangible demonstration of U.S. support for Ukraine and is necessary now more than ever,” Kristina Kvien, the chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, said in the release. “It is part of the enduring commitment that the United States and our NATO Allied and partner nations have made since 1997 to enhance maritime security in the Black Sea.”

NATO - Exercise Sea Breeze 2020

Jul 25, 2020

Twenty-six ships, nine aircraft and more than 2,000 sailors from eight NATO Allies and partner nations took part in Bulgarian Navy-led exercise Breeze, an annual maritime exercise held off the coast of Bulgaria in the Black Sea. The exercise ran from 10 to 19 July 2020.

Video by Sophie Lambert/Natochannel

Ground Forces Conclude Odesa Region Sea Breeze 2019 Exercises

Jul 12, 2019

Military units from Georgia, Moldova, the United States and Ukraine went on the offensive, provided artillery support and prepared to stop the enemy's reserve units - all as part of the Sea Breeze international exercise.

Exercise Sea Breeze Land

Premiered Jul 3, 2021

Defense Now

Exercise Sea Breeze Land
ODESA, UKRAINE
07.02.2021

ODESA, Ukraine (July 3, 2021) Special forces from several countries participate in the land capability media day of Exercise Sea Breeze in Oleshky Sands, Ukraine, July 2, 2021. Exercise Sea Breeze is a multinational maritime exercise cohosted by U.S. Sixth Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy in the Black Sea since 1997.
Film Credits: Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cole Keller
AFN Naples

Sea Breeze 2017 Amphibious Assault

Jul 28, 2017

Bridget Bosch

Credit: Staff Sgt. Marcin Platek | Date Taken: 07/25/2017

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment and Ukranian marines assault a beach using a Turkish Higgins landing boats from the Turkish ship TCG Karamurselbey (NL-124), July 19, in the Black Sea during exercise Sea Breeze 2017.