Putin’s Russia is trying to divide the globe to keep NATO’s attention on Ukraine while furthering its own goals. Lithuanian authorities said the alliance won’t tolerate this.
Lithuania, NATO’s top GDP contributor, understands Russia’s danger well. After the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia has headed toward authoritarianism, with Putin’s aims clear: disrupt, grow, and obtain power.
Putin’s goals go beyond Ukraine, seeking the “Global South” to split diplomats and weaken international opposition to Russia’s incursion. Libya, in instability since Muammar Gaddafi’s 2011 overthrow, is a significant player in this approach. Russia is supporting General Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA) to convert Libya into a Russian client state while competing parties fight for oil and gas.
Russia is positioned itself to construct a nuclear submarine base at Tobruk’s port by assisting Haftar’s fuel smuggling and currency theft. This would give Russia military access to the Mediterranean, threatening Europe’s economy and security.
Putin wants to use Libya’s oil influence to affect European foreign policy due to its strategic location near southern Europe. Being a major migratory route into Europe makes the nation important, and any instability there might encourage migration.
Russia is also utilizing Libya to send mercenaries and assist armed organizations in Sudan, Mali, and other Sahelian countries. These strategies are working in Niger and Mali, whose military regimes have broken relations with Ukraine.
Russia wants to influence Libya’s National Oil Corporation to maintain control. Corruption and coercion are blocking important oil fields like El Sharara, jeopardizing European energy security.
Russia wants NATO to focus on Ukraine so it may pursue imperialist interests abroad. NATO must unify to resist Russia’s tactics beyond Ukraine and implement international sanctions. This is essential to assist Ukraine and stopping Russia from expanding globally.
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