Two years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian troops still remain in the Baltic and are withdrawing very slowly. The Baltic states are demanding that the Russians commit to a rapid withdrawal by a specified date in 1993. Russia resists this demand and is instead negotiating for continued basing rights and access. At the same time Russia has raised charges that the Baltic states are discriminating in their legislation against Russians residing in the region. These moves are part of the larger and intense political showdown between President Yeltsin and his opponents over the reform of domestic and security policy. The outcome of the current impasse in the Baltic will be a significant indicator of Russia's ability and willingness to help reconstruct a democratic status quo there, and more broadly in Eastern Europe. The author of this study examines the current state of the Baltic problem and recommends a U.S.-backed Western initiative to help resolve the dispute in such a way that answers both sides' legitimate and basic interests, as well as those of the United States. After considering the issues between Russia and the Baltic states and their ramifications, the author analyzes the regional context of developments among the littoral states of the Baltic Sea and, on that basis, suggests the outline of the initiative that might help resolve this conflict peacefully. The Strategic Studies Institute is pleased to publish this monograph as a contribution to the debate on this important region. John W. Mountcastle Col., US Army Director, SSI Back to Table of Contents Russia and the Baltic Is There a Threat to European Security? Back to SSI List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1993 by US Army War College. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com