That, indeed, is the question. I think he will. It's not the encroachment of the west that's the main concern I suspect, but rather retaining access and control of the warm water port.

I can't believe Russia would be too pleased if its Baltic fleet were to be, in a possible future scenario, inside the EU.

I'm just waiting for that one 'special' soldier to accidentally fire his weapon.. leading to full scale war!

Archduke Ferdinand centennial anniversary time?

Why not commemorate the war to end all wars.. with a war. It's probably poetic to Putin

And I thought Lithuania was part of the EU and so is Poland, therefore the Baltic fleet is already enclosed by the EU. I don't see St. Petersburg joining the EU in a hurry.

Tick, tock. My mother and her family came from a village near Mariupol.

Ahem. Sorry for the brain-cramp. I meant Black Sea fleet. (As well you know).

And I for a moment thought you were talking of Russia taking Lithuania and belarus to ensure the land route to the ports.

Anything is possible right now. I'm sure Putin would say he reserved the right to do anything to protect Russian interests....I've heard that before!

I love all the finger wagging and tut-tutting from the Americans, while they’ve invaded Panama, Grenada, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and intervened in Libya. Now, if Canada or Mexico decided to align with Russia and some sort of Eurasian coalition, both economically and militarily, I think the Yanks wouldn’t bat an eyelid before they rolled in. Hypocrites to their last bad breath.

Quite. Watched a clip of Kerry and thought the bloody cheek.

Pretty much all these US interventions have occurred after the USSR ceased to be a power that caused the USA to think twice before acting.

Perhaps, in the big picture, it might be better for the world as a whole if Russia again becomes a power that can stop Uncle Sam from throwing its weight around unchecked.

[Reminds self to see if there's a free e-book for The Once and Future King]

Isn't the Baltic Fleet in Kaliningrad?

+1.