Russia is preparing to test NATO's collective defence, says Swedish commander-in-chief
Commander-in-Chief of the Swedish Armed Forces General Michael Claesson has said that Russia may soon attempt to test NATO's collective defence.
Source: Micael Claesson in an interview with Politico, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Claesson said he is "sure and convinced" that Russia intends to test Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty on collective security "at any point in the Baltic states or in some other part of Europe as well".
"They are prepared to take enormous strategic risks to gain whatever they see possible to gain. We have seen it since Chechnya, we have seen it in Georgia, we have seen it in Crimea," he added.
The head of Sweden's Armed Forces also said that Moscow will likely continue testing NATO regardless of whether current US diplomatic efforts end the war in Ukraine.
"The collective West is in a systemic conflict with Russia that will take a long time to solve. We are basically talking about a generation … this is something that will not go away with potential ceasefire or a peace agreement in Ukraine," Claesson said.
Background:
- European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius recently said that Kremlin leader Putin may order an attack on one of the NATO states within the next two to four years and that the Baltic states may be among the most likely targets.
- German Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank believes that Russia is capable of conducting a limited attack on NATO territory at any time, but the decision to act will depend on the position of Western allies.
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