How Putin Is Trying to Undermine NATO from Within: The Russian Dictator’s Three Strategic Goals
Amid growing tensions in Europe and the looming threat of new conflicts, an analysis by The Economist sheds light on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s covert efforts in the gray zone against NATO.
On one side, Russian drones violate Polish and Estonian airspace, damage Baltic Sea submarine cables, and airports and critical infrastructure are paralyzed due to cyberattacks and UAV strikes—all fostering a continuous threat atmosphere but not yet escalating into open conflict.In parallel, Putin is actively orchestrating a targeted campaign aimed at destabilizing NATO’s unity, sowing distrust among European nations and the U.S.
The plan includes undermining Article 5, which guarantees collective defense, to weaken the alliance’s cohesion.
Meanwhile, Moscow intensifies pressure on countries supporting Ukraine: conducting sabotage, cyberattacks, election interference, and spreading anti-Western propaganda.The third, deeper goal involves weakening internal stability within Western democracies, discrediting their economic strength, and eroding trust in liberal institutions.
Russia, with a smaller economy and lower GDP compared to its Western counterparts, seeks to create chaos, presenting itself as a more resilient power, while discrediting democratic nations and bolstering populist movements.For allies, expert recommendations emphasize increased transparency regarding provocations, rapid response to identified threats, boosting Europe’s defensive capabilities, reinforcing the Baltic fleet, upgrading drone countermeasures, and strengthening cyber defenses.
Sanctions against provocateurs and utilizing frozen assets to support Ukraine are seen as necessary measures.
Overall, decisive and coordinated action is crucial; ignoring these challenges risks further devastating conflicts, and allowing Russia to escape accountability may escalate tensions to dangerous levels.