NATO should prepare for a possible decades-long confrontation with Moscow because if Russia wins in Ukraine, aggression could spread to other countries, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in an interview with German newspaper Die Welt published on Feb. 10.
“NATO does not seek war with Russia, but we must prepare for a confrontation that could last for decades,” he said, noting that the defense industry should be rapidly expanded because deterrence “only works if it is credible.”
The best defense now is to support Ukraine and invest in NATO’s military capabilities.
“We need to rebuild and expand our industrial base more quickly so that we can increase supplies to Ukraine and replenish our own stockpiles,” Stoltenberg said, explaining that this means moving to the rapid production needed during the war.
He also called for speeding up the fulfillment of orders for European defense companies, stressing that in a market economy, arms manufacturers need signed contracts to increase production.
Putin is preparing his country’s economy for a long war, so the West must also do more for its own security.
Stoltenberg is still counting on a “yes” from the US Congress to help Ukraine, stressing that there is a “transatlantic burden-sharing” in Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.
Earlier, Bild, citing its own sources in the intelligence of a European country, reported that Russia may try to attack Europe in late 2024 or early 2025, when the United States will be “without a leader” and will be able to save European states only after some delay.
Western militaries, as well as civilians, need to be prepared for an ‘all-out war’ with Russia that may significantly affect their lives, Britain’s Sky News reported on Jan. 19, citing Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of the NATO Military Committee.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that Europe is again “facing a military threat that has not been seen for 30 years” and warned of a possible Russian attack in five to eight years.
New intelligence shows that Russia is rearming faster than expected and could attack a NATO country within three to five years, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on Feb. 9, Reuters reports.
“Earlier, Bild, citing its own sources in the intelligence of a European country, reported that Russia may try to attack Europe in late 2024 or early 2025, when the United States will be “without a leader” and will be able to save European states only after some delay.”
This is the biggest pile of crap I’ve heard since this war started. WTF is Putler going to attack Europe with, fucking marshmallows? 70 year old Soviet tanks are on the battlefield, the orcs super duper weapons without analogue don’t work. This article is nothing but fear mongering, but even in 5 years time, some NATO countries will still not be ready for war.
Foccusser, if Putin manages to get control of Ukraine again, which, sadly, doesn’t look totally impossible right now, then this will strengthen his regime significantly. And then he’ll be able to invade the Baltic nations in a few year’s time, where defence will be much more difficult. This medium term outlook has to be taken serious, not simply be dismissed as impossible.
Of course Russia can invade the Baltics, it’s a of ifs and buts though. To take control of Ukraine would need an army of millions, not the half a million currently in the Russian army.
Maybe, Foccusser, but on the other hand, the US managed to keep the 40 million people of Iraq under control with significantly less than half a million soldiers. Of course, there had been casualties, but Putin doesn’t care about that.
The french have nukes. Nato has nukes in the Benelux, Denmark and Norway. The armies of France and Scandinavia alone can force Putin to his knees.
In short, it’s a new cold war. And the West can’t allow a strengthening of the ugly and brutal RuSSian regime. So, it has to be prevented that Putin gets control of Ukraine in any way. To prevent this, Nato has to increase its arms deliveries decisively, to leave no doubt that the invaders have no chance.
They have to start delivering weapons to hurt Russia, like the Taurus system. I just don’t understand the trepidation running through EU leaders. Would they prefer fighting Russia on EU soil?
It’s largely a mystery to me, too, Foccusser (who knows what Scholz, Biden, Macron etc are really thinking), but I imagine that that unreasonable hesistancy is based on an outdated fear of Russia as a superpower – which that run down regime isn’t anymore. The extreme carefulness of Scholz to avoid a direct confrontation would have made sense during last century’s cold war, but not today. Quite to the contrary, this amounts to appeasement now. Sadly, the stubborn Chancellor – and the equally boneheaded Biden – seem unable to understand this. Thus this mess.
“Handelsblatt: NATO Initiates Fundamental Shift In Aid For Ukraine Strategy”
https://charter97.org/en/news/2024/2/10/582989/
“It is noted that the leadership of the bloc considers it advisable to integrate the Ramstein format into its own structures in order to protect itself from possible political changes in Washington. NATO, according to the publication, increasingly doubts that the United States will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine if former American President Donald Trump wins the election in November.”
A very reasonable precaution. Better safe than sorry!
Problem with this is if Trump pulls the US out of NATO. The US are the biggest contributors to NATO by far.
The biggest single contributor, indeed, but not providing the majority of arms deliveries to Ukraine. Still, if Trump gets back into power, this will be a huge setback. Safeguards against this are only of limited value, indeed. I suggest that the EU should then start its own defense organisation, with support by international partners (Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea).
US citizens, please check this out:
“Secure America Digital Rally
Urging Congressional Action on Aid to Ukraine and Allies”
https://alexandervindman.substack.com/p/secure-america-digital-rally?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Former National Security advicer Alexander Vindman states:
“If we cannot showcase our strength now, what is to stop other authoritarian regimes from starting similar wars? This is why I urge you to take just a few minutes out of your day to call your Congressperson. Thanks.”
For your information: Trump’s rise raises fears for NATO
https://thehill.com/policy/international/4459201-nato-allies-fear-repercussions-trump-reelection/
Many elements suggest that Trump, if elected, will withdraw the US from NATO or worse, sabotage the alliance from within according to his needs.
“It seems that the recent attitude of Europeans to the issue of nuclear deterrence as a regional security mechanism, triggered by the 2022 Russia invasion of Ukraine, comes back to the late British prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s view: “I want a war-free Europe. A nuclear-free Europe I do not believe would be a war-free Europe.””
(Info: http://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com)
In my opinion, it is urgent that a force emanating from the EU or the future former NATO be created independently of the USA. The USA appears less and less as a reliable partner in this architecture that must ensure security for all members.
with the link:
https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/a-call-for-nuclear-deterrence-in-europe/
Had the EU taken the initiative from the beginning, the US would never had to jump in as ally #1 to begin with.
My God…
“Donald Trump, a former US president seeking reelection in November presidential elections, has said that he will “encourage” Russia to attack any of US NATO allies that, in his view, fail to meet their financial obligations.”
That’s the Trump system. Threats & retaliation. He creates breeding grounds for violence wherever he can.
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/02/11/7441338/
The synchronization of Trumpist and Muscovite rhetoric and agendas is increasingly evident. Full alignment, which will overlay Nazi Kremlin doctrine with the advent of a new Presiding God at the WH, is planned for November.
Locusts, rains of fire and darkness.
Holy Mary, save us from these madmen!