European NATO countries are exploring the restoration of wetlands as a strategic defense against Russia, inspired by Ukraine's tactics. This approach not only aims to hinder Russian advances but also addresses climate change, creating a 'win-win' situation. Poland and Finland are leading the initiative, while other Baltic states remain undecided.
NATO's New Strategy: Wetlands as a Defense Against Russia
NATO's New Strategy: Wetlands as a Defense Against Russia
A hasty move by Ukraine could become a long-term NATO strategy. European NATO countries are exploring the possibility of restoring wetlands as a means of defense against Russia, reports Politico.
"For us, nature is an ally, and we want to use it," says Cezary Tomczyk, Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Defense, to the newspaper.
Restoring wetlands, a concept familiar in Sweden through activists' demonstrations, could be a successful strategy to both halt Russian advances and combat climate change.
"It's a win-win situation that achieves many goals at once," says Tarja Haaranen, Director General of Finland's Ministry of the Environment, to Politico.
Finland, along with Poland, is now reviewing the possibilities of restoring their countries' wetlands along the eastern border with Russia, the newspaper reports.
Wetlands: An Impenetrable Barrier
This follows Ukraine's drastic action at the start of the 2022 war, when a dam was blown up northeast of Kyiv. The water flooded the dried river plains, slowing down Russian forces.
"The ground turns into impenetrable muck, as the jeep guys say," says Oleksandr Dmitriev, defense consultant and the brain behind the idea, to Politico.
Images of Moscow's tanks stuck in the mud spread worldwide.
"It essentially stopped the Russian attack from the north," he says.
A majority of Europe's wetlands lie along NATO's eastern border with Russia and Belarus. According to researchers, it would be a relatively simple way for the EU to achieve its climate and defense goals simultaneously, writes Politico.
"It's What Is Needed"
Wiktor Kotowski, ecologist and member of the Polish government's advisory board on nature conservation, notes that promising talks have taken place with the Ministry of Defense.
"The ministry wants to restore as many wetlands as possible along the eastern border. It's also what's needed from a climate perspective," he tells the newspaper.
In Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, there are currently no explicit plans to restore wetlands to strengthen defense capabilities at the border.