The aftermath of the Second World War marked the emergence of two global superpowers: the capitalist USA and the socialist Soviet Union. This led to a climate of insecurity, uncertainty, and suspicion worldwide. Each nation sought to expand its influence, and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), a military alliance of Western nations, was established by the United States to solidify its power.

The Origin of NATO

The world soon split into two ideological blocs after 1945. The formation of military alliances became the first step in this division. The United States aimed to contain Soviet influence using Western Europe, although nations like France and the UK initially had limited military and economic strength. In 1948, the “Iron Cartel” formed, concentrating on countering Soviet power, which was steadily growing. Consequently, relations between the Soviet Union and Europe deteriorated. To expedite Europe’s economic recovery, the United States introduced the Marshall Plan and advanced military cooperation via the Brussels Treaty, paving the way for NATO.

A Brief Overview of NATO

On April 4, 1949, the United States officially founded NATO to counter the Soviet Union’s influence. Also known as the Washington Treaty, NATO is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Its primary purpose was to protect Western Europe from Soviet invasion. Article 5 of the treaty stipulates that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all members, calling for a collective response. According to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, if any member country is attacked, NATO can act to maintain North Atlantic security and launch military actions if necessary.

The Korean War in 1950 caused the US to further solidify NATO, which adopted various strategies to counter Russia. The alliance’s structure evolved over time, and today, NATO continues to work toward global security, with operations throughout Europe.

The Purpose of NATO

NATO’s core objective is to protect the sovereignty of its members. Although the Soviet Union has dissolved, Russia’s recent actions—such as the invasion of Crimea—have led European nations to reconsider their security positions. NATO also aims to protect smaller nations from Russian influence. For example, Iceland, with fewer than three million citizens, is a NATO member. NATO members advocate for peaceful conflict resolution and enhanced cooperation between allied countries to maintain national sovereignty.

Allied Nations in NATO

NATO started with twelve founding members and now includes 30. Original members include Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Norway, Canada, and the United States. Greece and Turkey joined in 1952, Spain in 1982, and post-Soviet states like Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic followed in 1991. Recent additions include Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

Recent Activities of NATO

With the Soviet Union’s collapse, some believed NATO was no longer necessary. However, NATO adapted, establishing the North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1991 and the “Partnership for Peace” in 1994. NATO was active during the conflicts in the Balkans and contributed to missions in Afghanistan and Libya. Recently, NATO has focused on Russia, with Ukraine expressing interest in joining. While the alliance has strengthened ties with Ukraine, Russia strongly opposes NATO’s eastward expansion.

Does NATO Support Ukraine?

In 2008, NATO expressed that Ukraine could join in the future. However, despite increased cooperation, Ukraine has not fully gained Western support for membership. Russia remains firmly against Ukraine’s potential NATO membership due to concerns over security and military pressure.

Root Cause of the NATO-Russia Conflict

Ukraine’s desire to join NATO has triggered significant opposition from Russia, which sees this as a threat to regional security. Russia fears that NATO’s presence near its borders would harm its diplomatic relations and energy security. Russia has long demanded assurances that Ukraine will not join NATO. However, NATO and the US have rejected Russia’s main demands, intensifying tensions.

Motives Behind the Recent Russian War on Ukraine

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced military action against Ukraine, driven largely by Ukraine’s pro-Western stance. Russia claims Ukraine, a former Soviet state with strong cultural ties to Russia, was never fully sovereign. Putin views NATO’s expansion as a direct threat, arguing that US and NATO forces stationed near Russia would destabilize the region.

Was NATO Responsible for the Russia-Ukraine Conflict?

Some argue that the US and NATO could have prevented the Ukraine situation but prioritized military and economic interests over diplomacy. NATO has expanded even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, aiming to encircle Russia. This ongoing expansion near Russia’s borders has sparked resentment from Russia, which views NATO as a persistent threat to its security.

Conclusion

Before the Soviet Union’s collapse, US Secretary of State James Baker assured Russia that NATO would not expand eastward if reunification occurred. However, NATO continued to grow, and former Eastern Bloc countries have joined. NATO’s continued expansion towards Russia’s border has created a seemingly unending rivalry, with no immediate resolution in sight. The future remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether NATO or Russia will ultimately safeguard their interests in this enduring conflict.