US President Bush is not feeling well now. He was called to the Pentagon by a phone call just as he was about to fall asleep. Of course, the good mood of the day was also ruined for the British Prime Minister, Conservative Party leader John Major, French President Francois Mitterrand, and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. All of them gathered by phone for a special NATO senior leaders' meeting because of the turbulent Baltic Sea thousands of miles away.
"We have received calls for help from the presidents of the three Baltic countries. If you have any ideas, please discuss them. Please try to be brief, as they don't have much time left." Bush did not sit in his seat, but paced back and forth, thinking about how the current situation could develop in a direction that would be beneficial to him.
"It's difficult. The Soviet Union is now more like a madman who is desperate. No one knows what a crazy leader will do." German Chancellor Helmut Kohl on the other end of the phone looked almost sad. It has not been more than a year since the reunification of East and West Germany. Who can bear such fear when there is another Baltic crisis? No matter how turbulent Eastern Europe is, it is none of Helmut's business, as long as it does not affect Germany. But now the Soviet Union's brutal interference cannot guarantee Germany's fate.
"They seem to have given up trying to conquer others by beating around the bush and are using the toughest means possible, as they did when they entered Prague," said British Prime Minister John Major, adding that NATO leaders seemed to have ignored the crisis of unrest created by Yanaev in the three Baltic countries.
"The most important question now is whether we should send troops to the three Baltic countries to maintain stability," said Francois Mitterrand, a French hawk. "I think it's better for NATO troops to wait and see in Germany. Even if we really want to help the three Baltic countries, we can only start from Germany, Finland and Sweden."
"What do you mean, Francois?" Helmut's voice rose several decibels. "You mean to let the three Baltic countries be re-incorporated into the Soviet sphere of influence, strengthen the barriers in Eastern Europe, and even let Germany face direct military threats from the Warsaw Pact?"
When the two Germanys merged, François was the Western European president who strongly opposed it. Now the old grudges between France and Germany have been brought up again because of the Baltic crisis.
"Okay, stop arguing, everyone. The most important thing for us now is to resolve this crisis and teach the Soviet Union a lesson." The British Prime Minister, who was humiliated by the Soviet Union, never forgot how to retaliate against the red polar bear. Especially when the Foreign Ministry spokesman Boris Dmitrievich Pankin threatened Britain with the Irish Republican Army, John Major's face was not good all day.
Of course, Bush also had other ideas. He wanted to know the bottom line and military situation of the Soviet Union, but he was unwilling to take risks. Using the European Union to test it was a good choice. Anyway, it was a matter of mutual consent.
Standing next to Bush was his adviser Brent Scowcroft, who had suggested before Bush made the call that European countries take the lead in testing the Soviet Union's bottom line and keep themselves out of the matter. If the polar bear's bottom line was really offended, he could also mediate.
This time, the United States played the political role of the British offshore balancer. Just as Brent Scowcroft said, "We need to know how much the powerful red polar bear can fight back. From the moment Yeltsin and Gorbachev died, a new war began, Mr. President. But I think these seemingly tough measures are just Russia's last gasp before death. The game we set up more than a decade ago has not completely failed. Even if we can really find the weakness of the Russians, even if the price is to let our European friends die, this situation of mutual destruction is the best for us. The world can only accommodate one powerful America. Those so-called old European powers are nothing but yesterday's flowers, and they should not have the illusion of restoring a powerful dominant alliance."
"Allies, be quiet and listen to me." Bush stopped the quarrel and read out his carefully prepared manuscript. "We have blocked the invasion of fascism together, and now we stand together to deal with a huge evil empire. Yes, the people of Europe are facing the most critical moment now. Those crazy communists in Russia are preparing to burn the war on the land of freedom. We can't retreat, we can't be cowardly. Every time we retreat, it is a compromise with the dictator. So no matter what you think, the United States of America will choose to defend the Baltic Sea and defend those people who love freedom and resist oppression. This is our responsibility!"
François became unhappy after the American President finished reading the script.
"Damn the Americans! They just want Europe to get involved in this mess." Francois cursed in a low voice. France tried its best to stay out of it, while the United States tried its best to drag European countries into this mess. The most unfortunate thing was that the British had recently had some diplomatic unhappiness with the Soviet Union, and Germany was originally worried about being the first line of defense to stop the pace of communism. Originally, Britain and France could choose to oppose, but now Britain had to take advantage of the Americans and join the ranks of opposition.
A group of people with different thoughts gathered together. As for how reliable the American call was, Francois vaguely smelled a hint of uneasiness. If the so-called ally on the other side of the Atlantic chose to betray, it could stay out of it, but European countries would have to face the wrath of the Soviet Union.
"I agree to help the three Baltic countries, just like they helped us during the Berlin crisis, to tell the people of Eastern Europe that the free world has not forgotten them." In order to win over another country, Helmut asked again, "Prime Minister John, what do you think?"
"We have fought hard against the Iron Curtain, but now is the time for Great Britain to show its strength. I agree to send troops into the Baltic to let the dying polar bears feel our power," said John Major.
"Since you have said so, what else can I do?" French President Francois said helplessly, "But we will only send a symbolic force. I will not do such a stupid thing as to annoy the Soviet Union."
As long as there is an example, it is enough. No one wants to have a bloody war with the Soviet Union. NATO sent troops to remind this dangerous neighbor that the land you have occupied before will no longer belong to you. When France was at a loss and Britain and Germany were celebrating, Uncle Sam, who silently stepped back and prepared to stay out of it, showed a sly smile.
The telephone conference of the four European and American giants lasted only one hour. Almost as soon as the leaders of each country hung up the phone, the government spokesperson began to write a statement on the situation in the Baltic Sea on TV, and expressed that they would do their best to support the people who resisted dictatorship and tyranny.
Bush also personally called the presidents of the three Baltic countries, saying that NATO countries would send armed forces to help the three Baltic countries, and asked them not to compromise and to stick to their tough attitude to the end. The leaders of the countries who were sold out but still helped count the money were naturally grateful for the generosity of US President Bush.
Anyway, it was just a demonstration with much noise but little action. Germany's mobilization of armored forces was almost exaggerated. They ordered the TV station to give a detailed description of the marching route of the tanks to the German-Polish border. The media tried their best to create an atmosphere that Germany was going to carry out Operation Barbarossa again. However, anyone with a little thinking ability knew that this was just a show. A real war would never be as grand as a show.
At the same time, British warships also set out from their homeland and headed for the Baltic Sea. John Major also hoped to show the sagging muscles of the British Empire through this action. In addition to expressing support, the United States also stated that they were willing to pay one-third of the cost of NATO's operation.
A military operation codenamed "Defending Freedom" was launched. This improvised operation was just as ridiculous as a child's play. Anyway, the Americans were willing to pay for it, so they just took it as a trip to the Baltic Sea at public expense. However, the British navy soon found out that their idea was wrong.
These young sailors will witness the horror of the evil empire for the first time in the Baltic Sea.