NATO vital to Balts

I am bemused by Peter Dolina’s apparent lack of understanding of the importance of NATO to the Baltic nations (“Russian attitude unsurprising,” Feb. 19). Having been allotted to Russia as part of the secret protocols of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, the Baltics and Poland were occupied first by the Nazis, and after the Allied victory, by the Soviets. For more than 40 years, they were under the brutal domination of the Soviet Union, which sent millions to die in Siberia - whole families were deported. Many did not reach Siberia. They perished in the unheated box cars on the way.

The Balts and the Poles have reason to fear Russia, especially in light of recent Russian revanchism in Crimea and Ukraine. Having traveled in the Baltics and Poland in recent years, I’ve been very impressed by the peoples of these countries and have been concerned that President Trump’s rash and ignorant behavior will threaten them.

Margaret Coffey

Spokane