War with Russia

Then Kostilek sat down and addressed the Council. “Ladies and gentlemen, the Alliance has suffered grievous blows in recent days as the result of naked Russian aggression against the Baltic states. While we are united in honoring our fallen comrades and in condemnation of Russia, we must also be under no illusions. The purpose of the Alliance since its foundation in 1949 has been collective defense, the rock on which it has been built for sixty-eight years. And yet, when the crisis came, collective defense meant nothing. The Alliance failed. You need no reminding that NATO is no more or less than the nations which make up the Alliance… That means the nations have failed.” He paused and looked slowly around the table, making it clear where he thought the responsibility for failure lay.

Point forcefully made, he resumed. “Let me take you back to the Cold War. Yes, there were fewer member states back then. But our predecessors around this table understood that collective defense needs more than words. That words alone, unless backed by genuinely capable, strong defenses, mean nothing to our enemies. What a contrast to where we are today! The Alliance has spoken loudly, has puffed up its capabilities, but has completely failed to deter Russia. Would Russia have dared to attack strong, resolute, well-equipped and truly ready armed forces… ? I say NO!” He spat out the word.

For a moment there were mutterings of disagreement and annoyance from around the table, exactly as Kostilek had predicted. NATO had faced the massed armies and aggression of the Warsaw Pact for forty years of the Cold War, but peace had prevailed. Why? Because the Warsaw Pact knew that NATO was ready and able to respond. Today’s member states knew this. Hence the looks of shame, of guilt even, on the faces of some ambassadors at his words. It was this, Kostilek had explained to Howard and McKinlay earlier, that he would tap into when he spoke.

He banged the table with his hand and the room fell silent.

“And be under no illusions. The proof is that our brothers and sisters in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are now occupied by Russia and the President has decreed that they are to be incorporated into his empire of fear and terror.”

For a moment he softened his tone. “Ambassadors of those countries, dear friends and colleagues, I extend our deepest sympathy… but rest assured,” again he struck the table to emphasize the point and his eyes flashed defiance. “I speak for every nation in the Alliance when I say that we will not rest until you have regained your liberty.”

Kostilek stopped and again looked every ambassador in the eye. As a Pole, he understood far better than those from Western Europe the reality of life as part of the Russian Empire. Some looked down, but did not argue. Others looked back at him equally directly. Some even nodded their approval. The Secretary General had set the tone he was looking for.

He continued, “Dear colleagues all. NATO is an alliance of three-and-three-quarter million men and women under arms. We far outnumber the Russians in men and equipment and resources. United we are terrifying; unstoppable. United, we can put together the means, not only to liberate our dear friends in the Baltic states, but also to defend the freedom, democracy and the rule of law we all cherish… The alternative is too terrible to contemplate. Will you too fall under Russian control? Will you find yourselves the next country in front of this Council, begging for help? Picked off one by one at the President’s whim… Because, be under no illusions, that is what will happen next.”

And now, McKinlay saw, he really did have their attention. It was one thing for the Greeks to get loans from the Russians or on the international bond markets, but quite another to be informed that the interest on those loans now included the gift of a port for the Russian navy, or a base for their fighter aircraft. Even Greece could see that their independence was only possible because she was a vibrant democracy. Anybody who read a newspaper or watched a television had to be able to see that true democracy was anathema to the Russian President.

Kostilek concluded with a clarion call to action. “Let me be clear. NATO has agreed Article Five and we are now at war with Russia. What I want from the North Atlantic Council today is a strong consensus that the end we are seeking is nothing less than the liberation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and that you, the nations, will deliver the military means to achieve that. We must all be prepared to strain every nerve, every sinew in the fight to free the Baltic states.”

He paused to let his words sink in. Then he called upon the American ambassador to speak.