Sir, Assuming that Nato has no intention of invading Russia, its policy of eastwards expansion makes little strategic sense. The inclusion of Georgia and Ukraine in Nato will not enhance its operations in Afghanistan but clearly has provoked, or at least given an excuse to, Russia to ensure that it has a buffer zone on its southern flank.

As Russia's GDP is less than a 25th of that of the combined Nato members it will struggle to keep up with Nato's defence spending and, given Russia's weak demographics and exposed borders as well as the imminent deployment of US anti-ballistic missiles in Eastern Europe, it presents no real and present danger to Nato members anyway.

As Nato isn't keen to send troops to Georgia and is generally softening its line, Russia is unlikely to invade Ukraine. However, continuing pressure from Nato will lead to more diverse and subtle Russian retaliation, through meddling in the Middle East peace process and Ukraine's domestic politics, attempting to disrupt Nato operations in Afghanistan, lending support to Iran, continuing to pressure Western companies operating in the former Soviet Union, and incrementally increasing gas prices for European consumers.

Nato has to make up its mind if it is a defence alliance, a political talking shop, a peacekeeping force or simply a stalking horse for US foreign policy.

Nick Day

CEO, Diligence Inc