.By Sarah WhiteMarch 10, 2022
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces changed Europe overnight. Still, questions remain about what would happen if Vladimir Putin decided to invade a neighboring NATO country, such as one of the three Baltic States. Ultimately, though, the essential nature of that scenario can be understood by looking at a map.
The region's geography tends to favor Russia and put outsiders wanting to deter it at a disadvantage. This, in turn, leaves frontline states vulnerable to the violation of their sovereignties. Recent events have made this even more true. Russia has effectively pushed its borders up against NATO's easternmost front by making Belarus, which borders Poland, a satellite, and invading Ukraine, which borders both Poland and Romania.
Unfortunately, a Russian invasion of a NATO country, which would trigger the involvement of all members of the alliance, is an increasingly possible though still unlikely development in the future. The three Baltic countries—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—would presumably be next on Putin's list, all being former Soviet Republics and vulnerable due to their small size and relative isolation from other NATO allies. The location of Poland and Romania up against the borders with Ukraine and Belarus also dramatically increases their risk of one day being attacked.
https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2022/03/10/how_geography_will_shape_us_military_options_in_eastern_europe_821039.html
