Europeans to propose ‘peace plan’ for Ukraine to Russia: Could the Baltics be attacked?

Baltic Sea and Surrounding Nations (Norman Einstein)

The heads of Germany and France are in Russia:

February 6, 2015

The leaders of Germany and France are due in Moscow Friday to present a new peace proposal aimed at ending an escalation in fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, near the Russian border.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande will present the proposal to Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday, a day after meeting in Kyiv with Ukraine’s Western-backed President Petro Poroshenko.

Ahead of Friday’s meeting, Merkel said the initiative that she and Hollande are presenting in Moscow is aimed at defending “European peace.” She said the two leaders are doing everything in their power to “end the bloodshed” in Ukraine. …

Also Friday, pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian officials agreed to a temporary truce that allows for a humanitarian corridor so civilians can be evacuated from battle-scarred areas in eastern Ukraine. Convoys of buses converged Friday on the town of Debaltseve, where the population has been trapped in the crossfire of fierce fighting. …

Putin holds emergency meeting

In Moscow, the Kremlin reported Putin held an emergency meeting of his advisory Security Council to discuss the Ukraine situation, in light of Friday’s meeting with Merkel and Hollande.

Fighting in Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine surged after last week’s breakdown of the latest round of peace talks aimed at ending the rebellion. http://www.voanews.com/content/german-french-leaders-take-ukrain-peace-plan-to-putin/2631420.html

Some have noted that Russia’s Vladimir Putin is interested in more than simply eastern Ukraine. Notice something from a former NATO leader:

NATO’s former secretary-general has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could engineer a Ukraine-style intervention in one of the Baltic republics as the leaders of France and Germany flew to Moscow to make a last-ditch bid for peace in eastern Europe.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen told Britain’s Daily Telegraph Thursday that Putin’s goal was to reassert Russian dominance of Eastern Europe by testing, and ultimately fracturing the West’s bedrock Cold War alliance.

“There is a high probability that he will intervene in the Baltics to test NATO’s Article 5,” Rasmussen said, referring to the section of NATO’s charter mandating that other member states come to the defense of a fellow member under armed attack. “Putin knows that if he crosses the red line and attacks a NATO ally, he will be defeated. Let us be quite clear about that. But he is a specialist in hybrid warfare.”

All three of the so-called Baltic republics — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — were part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991. All three joined NATO in 2004. All three also have sizable minority populations of ethnic Russians. Rasmussen says his fear is that Moscow will generate a conflict under murky pretenses, In the case of Ukraine, the fall of the pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych prompted Russia’s annexation of Crimea and a bloody civil war between Kiev’s new pro-Western government and separatist rebels thought to be trained and equipped by Russia’s military. …

Rasmussen added that many of NATO’s European member nations have slashed military spending to such an extent that they cannot defend themselves without U.S. help.

“NATO countries have cut defense spending by 20 percent in real terms over the last five years – and some by 40 percent – while Russia has increased by 80 percent. The aggression in Ukraine is a wake-up call,” Rasmussen said. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/02/06/ex-nato-chief-warns-putin-could-attack-baltics-as-ukraine-rebels-reach/

I would like to bring up three points related to the above.

The first is that Vladimir Putin does not want an actual war with NATO now as he realizes that Russia would not win. However, he may well use the threat of ‘assisting’ those nations once part of the old Soviet Union as a bargaining chip with the Europeans. It is not likely that the Baltic States of Latvia, Estonia, or Lithuania would be directly attacked in a full scale war. But Russia has taken steps to attempt to intimidate them before and may take bolder steps to send a message of strength to try to negotiate with the Europeans.

The second is that Ukraine is NOT part of NATO and Russia may decide it has little more to lose if it gets more aggressive there. Part of that could depend on what the Europeans are offering today.

And the third point is that many European leaders, and not just Anders Fogh Rasmussen, believe the Ukrainian situation is proof that Europe needs to increase its military strength to the point it is no longer dependent upon the USA. And while Europe has taken several steps already, many leaders there have concluded that more steps must be taken. And more military steps will be taken.

Why?

Because the increasing of the military power in Europe is in biblical prophecy (e.g. Revelation 13:4). Such increases will result in the ultimate takeover of the USA per Daniel 11:39 by the Europeans. But the Europeans will proceed cautiously for a time.

As mentioned before, “German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that the European Union would be open to talks towards the launch of free trade negotiations with the new Eurasian Economic Union” (see Merkel’s European-Eurasian Trade Zone Proposal). Russia’s President Putin is interested in that, though he still wants Ukraine.

The Bible shows, that for a time, there will be cooperation between Russia and Europe. The meetings between European and Russian leaders today may or may not result in increased cooperation now, but it is interesting to consider that it is the heads of Germany and France, and not the President of the USA, who are meeting with Russia’s President Putin.

That being said, the Bible ultimately shows that Russia will turn against Europe (Daniel 11:44-45; Jeremiah 50:41-43; 51:11; Isaiah 13:1-8) before Jesus returns. But those who do not accept Bible prophecy do not realize that. And this includes leaders in Europe, Russia, and the USA.

UPDATE: 1900 PDT. Here is more on the talks:

February 6, 2015

KYIV, UKRAINE—

The leaders of France, Germany, and Russia have failed to reach a breakthrough peace deal on Ukraine during talks in Moscow. But they agreed to work on a shaky September cease-fire. …

A Kremlin spokesman described Ukraine peace talks Friday between French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Russian President Vladimir Putin as constructive and substantive.

Dmitry Peskov indicated no new deal was reached after five hours of closed-door, private discussions in Moscow. But he said they agreed to work on a September cease-fire drawn up in the Belorussian capital, Minsk, that has been routinely violated.

Peskov said the leaders will be joined by Poroshenko in four-way talks on Saturday, with further contacts set for Sunday. …

Peskov said the leaders of France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine would talk by phone Sunday about the results of the Moscow meeting and to work on the possible document.

He said the document would include proposals of the Ukrainian president and proposals formulated and added today by President Putin. http://www.voanews.com/content/german-french-leaders-take-ukrain-peace-plan-to-putin/2631420.html

No deal was yet reached, but both the Europeans and the Russians still want to talk. That is consistent with what both sides probably thought would happen.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Russia and Ukraine: Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? You can also watch the short video Ukraine in Prophecy?
Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy Is Russia mentioned in the Bible? It it is where is it? Is there any evidence of a people moving to the land that the Russians now occupy? What do Catholic and other prophecies say about Russia? What does the Bible teach? How are Protestants often in error on this? Is there more in biblical prophecy for Russia than war? Does God have a plan to save Russia and her allies? Does Russia have a history involving Sabbath keepers? Does scripture tie Russia in with Armageddon? Will Russia help defeat the end time Babylonian power? What did the Apostle John, and the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, write about Russia? This is a sermon-length video.
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fufilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?
Bible News Prophecy July-Sept. 2014: The Coming Eurasian Union Here is the latest magazine from the Continuing Church of God. The cover of which shows Vladimir Putin and features an article about the coming Eurasian Union.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
WTO/TTIP and the Babylonian Beast Will international trade agreements like WTO/TTIP/CETA lead to the fulfillment of end time prophecies concerning the Babylonian Beast power that the Book of Revelation warns against? What does the Bible teach? A related video would be WTO Trade Deal and the Rise of the European Beast Power.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a link to a video Is the USA Pushing Germany to Start WWIII?
Wars, rumors of wars, and the Apocalypse Jesus foretold a time before the end where there would be wars and rumors of wars. The Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) warns of the red horseman of war. Now, even secular writers, like Larry Edelson, are worried that wars and rumors of war are the most menacing problem that now haunts the earth? Are they right? What is the solution? This is a sermonette-length video.
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a link to a video Is the USA Pushing Germany to Start WWIII?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.