"Russia in the Baltic Sea after the annexation of Crimea - something new?"

The new issue in the Baltic Sea area is that Russia has not done any significant military moves there, which would change the prevailing balance. Comparing to the Cold War situation, Russia’s military presence in the area is many times smaller than at that time. We do not have also seen any serious new military preparations to change the situation by far although there has been alarmist speculations in public concerning Russia’s expected aggressive intentions. In particular the air was dense of speculations during the Zapad military exercises. Media and some Nato’s front-line member states kept alive alarmist discussion in which the Zapad was perceived a at least possible cover for preparing Russia’s military adventure and annexation areas e.g. from Lithuania or even occupying whole Belarussia. At the same time as Zapad we have seen the new military presence and exercises of Russia’s counterpart Nato and its partners in the Baltic Sea.  The new visibility of armed forces in the area has been reported in media and caused also anxiety among population of the Baltic Sea area. The new situation and atmosphere establishes a frame to Russia’s Nord Stream II pipeline project. It has been extremely politicised topic and caused disagreement between different EU member states and Commission and members states. The project has got a new geopolitical dimension after it was connected to the US - Russia relations and discussion of US efforts to conquer new markets for LNG from Europe. Consequently there has been appeared new features in the politics of the Baltic Sea area after the annexation of Crimea.