Elon Musk questions NATO's purpose; Baltic leader responds
Musk initiated a discussion on NATO, expressing his curiosity about why the alliance continues to exist when the primary reason for its creation, the Warsaw Pact, no longer exists.
11:24 AM EST, March 3, 2024
Latvia's President, Edgars Rinkeviczs, promptly responded to Musk's query.
"Dear Elon Musk, the reason for NATO's founding, its ongoing existence, and its endurance are due to Russia and other adversaries of the free world," Rinkeviczs replied in a post on Platform X.
Musk also shared his support for American entrepreneur David Sacks's view that NATO should have been dissolved after the USSR's collapse instead of expanding to include more countries.
However, it's essential to note that the Warsaw Pact was formed in response to NATO, not the other way around. Internet users pointed out this correction to Musk, though he has yet to respond directly.
NATO expands its membership
The aggression by Russia in Ukraine two years ago propelled Finland to join NATO, becoming its 31st member. The process of admitting Sweden into the Alliance is currently in progress.
Russian perspectives on NATO
Russia views all NATO actions as destabilizing to the international balance. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, up until recently, had hoped that the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the USSR's disappearance would pave the way for "true, undivided multilateralism." However, he believes that NATO's persistence obstructs this ideal.
"Western countries not only preserved NATO but also, contrary to their promises, embarked on the aggressive incorporation of neighboring areas, including territories where Russia historically has and will continue to have vital interests," Lavrov stated.
The Warsaw Pact was established in 1955 with the intention of collective military defense should any member state be attacked, a foundation similar to that of NATO, established in 1949. The Warsaw Pact was dissolved in 1991.
