Against the backdrop of a fierce exchange of fire between Russia and Ukraine and the launching of sweeping sanctions by the Western bloc against Russia, on March 14, some 30,000 military personnel, 220 aircraft and 50 ships from 27 countries gathered in the cold Nordic country of Norway for a military exercise with a cold name , the NATO Cold Response Military Exercise. The biennial exercise, held on large swathes of Norwegian territory, is designed to test how Norway manages allied reinforcements on its territory under Article V of the NATO Charter, which requires member states to provide assistance to other member states that have been attacked. The exercise was not only attended by 25 NATO countries, but also Finland and Sweden, which are not part of NATO, which is very meaningful. Norway reportedly invited Russia to send observers to observe the exercises, but Russia declined Norway's invitation.
NATO warships
First, this exercise has strong implications for Russia to convey information.
Considering the war situation between Russia and Ukraine and the current relationship between NATO and Russia, it is conceivable that this NATO cold response military exercise is not cold at all, and one of the main purposes of this exercise is to convey to Russia a signal that NATO is ready and NATO is inviolable. From the current point of view, NATO really does not want a direct conflict with Russia, after all, the impact of direct conflict between NATO and Russia is too great, and it can even be said that the third world war broke out. But the possibility of a direct nato conflict with Russia is growing. Because NATO will not and is unwilling to watch Ukraine being easily taken by Russia, it will inevitably provide a large amount of military equipment support to Ukraine, and secretly support a lot of mercenaries to participate in the war in Ukraine, NATO's moves have caused a lot of resistance to Russia's military operations, brought a lot of casualties to Russia, and made Russia very annoyed, so Russia's counterattack on NATO's military assistance will become more and more fierce. This can be seen in the military training bases and arsenals of Russian missile precision strikes at about 15 kilometers from Poland. Therefore, it is not excluded that Russia will directly cross the border to attack Poland's military aid bases with the support of nuclear weapons, and then directly clash with NATO. Therefore, nato's exercise, gathering more than 30,000 people, 220 aircraft and 50 ships, so much action, is to express NATO's strength, the ability to organize large-scale battles, if Russia dares to attack NATO countries, NATO has the determination to fight at all costs, to put it bluntly, is to show muscle, let Russia in the handling of NATO-related things when leisurely point, do not cross the line.
Putin gave a televised speech
Second, this exercise is also aimed at consolidating the military's morale.
Another purpose of this exercise is to stabilize the NATO camp and is a way for the big brothers of the United States to support and cheer up the younger brothers. Since Russia attacked Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania and other Baltic states that have always been suspicious of Russia have been afraid in their hearts, and even support for Ukraine are worried, such as the United States hinted that Poland will assist Ukraine with MiG-29 fighters, and the panicked Poland actually kicked the ball to the feet of the big brother of the United States, which made the United States feel embarrassed and very helpless, after all, in the face of Russia, many NATO countries, especially the NATO allies in Central and Eastern Europe, are panicking, and they simply do not have the courage to fight with Russia. In turn, this in turn shows that these countries have doubts about whether the United States and NATO can protect their countries, at least not so firmly. After all, Russia is a nuclear-weapon superpower like the United States, and no NATO country is really willing to go to an all-out war with Russia. The Americans are also very clear about this, so they have such exercises to concentrate everyone's strength and let allies see the strength of NATO. To put it bluntly, it is to cheer up allies and get together to be bold.
Prime Minister of Poland
The effect of this military exercise is still there, but this is not, the courage of Poland that did not dare to provide MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine a few days ago has become bigger, and it is quite tough to speak. On March 19, Polish Prime Minister Mikhail Morawiecki, asked about plans to ban Russian trucks from transiting through Poland, said: "I think European leaders will wake up again to the possibility of a new package of sanctions during the next European Council meeting." Poland proposes to add the trade blockade to the sanctions measures as soon as possible. This includes the prohibition of the entry of Russian-flagged cargo ships into the harbor at seaports and the prohibition of trade by land transport". He added that "a complete severance of trade relations with Russia will once again give Russia a second thought about whether it should stop this terrible war." I am on the side of the anti-war activists." Moreover, Poland even proposed the formation of a contingent to enter Ukraine under the name of NATO peacekeeping forces and control western Ukraine led by Lviv.
Third, the impact of this exercise on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is not great.
The exercise did not go well, with four U.S. Marines killed in a NATO cold response exercise in northern Norway due to the crash of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, according to the Associated Press. This has more or less hit some morale, giving the United States a small discount to its intention to show greatness.
American Osprey fighter
Moreover, this exercise is mainly to deter Russia, so that Russia does not dare to easily attack NATO countries, but it does not have much impact on Russia's attack on Ukraine, and Russia can continue to implement special military operations in accordance with its established strategy, and will not affect the final battlefield outcome too much.
Lavrov