It‘s already some time, when Russia, while seeing the conformism of the French government, is putting pressure on it [the French government] in order to make it to sell even four aircraft-carriers, able to convey, aside the helicopters, one or two   battalions of soldiers, 40 tanks each. Do we have in our possession at least that much anti-tank cartridge in order to maintain strategic balance?

Recently Lithuania was feasted with French pasta, so as if that ship or ships will ostensibly be sold to Russia without armament – like ferries, which could be used to transport the cows to the pastures on the islands. The function of these ships is indeed offensive operations from sea to the shore, and the fact if they will carry French or Russian helicopters or not is not a paramount issue. The paramount issues are the speed and offensive and airborne power, and even more important issue is the role of these ships as means for intimidation, for carrying out psychological warfare. It is an old Stalinist tradition for establishing „friendly relations“ by military intimidation (even though it is forbidden by international conventions).

When using these ships, Russia will more quickly recapture the Baltic and Black Seas, which since long time ago lawfully belonged to it, or will anew start its domination there. France seemingly approves to such a standpoint of its partner. The President of the Russian Federation who had arrived to Paris “for an exclusive deal” stated that this will be a symbol of the confidence between the two countries. At the same time for some EU and NATO states this would also be a symbol for mistrust and disappointment towards France, but for Paris this is less important.

By the way, the French President has acknowledged that he is going to a better “Gazprom” and military union with Russia due to the latter’s promises to think about the sanctions on Iran. For some reason this reminds the joke of the US General Norman Schwarzkopf after the First Gulf War (for Kuwait), according which to go to the battle with the French is the same as to bring an accordion to the hunting. What in the NATO system will replace the sold accordion?

The plans to build the gas pipe in the Baltic Sea and to “protect” it, while using the power of the Russian military fleet (that was already tested aside our borders during the autumn military exercises) are known to everyone. It will be possible to deploy the “Mistral” permanently. If somebody took this into consideration, this would seem to be an inconceivable naivety – let‘s scarify Georgia, but maybe we will remain untouched. Of course, this is an indecency as well. Previously big wars emanated out of it.

The opinion of some “Lithuanian war experts” that “Mistral” is not causing a threat for the many-sided security of our country is inconceivable. A cute ship does not make any difference. If in summer, as it was suggested, we would build on the beach a big aircraft-carrier-shaped tin toilet with an inscription of „MИСРAЛ“ on it, it would be even useful.

The text was published in Alfa.lt on 3 March