Euroviews. Russia wants the world divided and in conflict. NATO cannot let this happen

Lithuania has been steadfast in its support for Ukraine. It remains in the top three largest donors by GDP of all NATO nations and its people understand more than most the threat Russia represents.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, we have witnessed Russia becoming progressively authoritarian under Vladimir Putin’s leadership. His objectives remain the same as under the former communist bloc: disrupt, expand and influence.

These geopolitical games for power are being played beyond Europe, including in the nations of the "Global South". Putin hopes that by pressuring these rapidly developing countries, he can create new diplomatic rifts between them and the West.

With division comes an opportunity for Putin to split global support against his invasion of Ukraine and build a new network of Russian client states.

The fragile nation of Libya is the most prominent example of this and the launchpad for much of Russia’s campaign in sub-Saharan Africa.

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has struggled to find a democratic footing. Conflict constantly looms between rival governments and strongmen vying to control Libya’s abundant oil and gas resources.

Russia has taken advantage of this instability and has increased its engagement with the predominant strongman in the east of the country, General Khalifa Haftar, who leads a large militia known as the Libyan National Army (LNA).

To realise this ambition of a Libyan client state under the Haftar clan, Russia has reinforced Haftar’s nefarious activities, including fuel smuggling and currency printing and has commenced discussions to escalate the military partnership through a Russian nuclear submarine base at the port of Tobruk.

Not only do these developments pose