NATO says it is ready for possible Russian escalation
NATO's top general, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, has stated that the alliance is ready to respond to possible Russian escalation on Europe's eastern flank.
Source: Dragone during a meeting of NATO's 32 top generals in Copenhagen on 19 September, as reported by Politico and European Pravda
Details: Dragone's statement came amid increasingly frequent warnings about a possible false-flag attack by Moscow.
"The alliance is ready, the structure is ready, the soldiers … the weapons are ready," he said, adding that NATO is continuing its work in "increasing" these forces "in number … and also in sophistication".
In recent weeks, Europe has encountered a growing number of airspace violations and attempted acts of sabotage, as tensions with Russia continue to rise over its full-scale war against Ukraine. In August, US intelligence reports warned that Moscow is planning a limited attack on a NATO country in the coming years.
Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, said the alliance's generals did not discuss the latest warnings on 19 September, but stressed that NATO has "4,000 pages" of military plans ready to defend its eastern flank, starting with scenarios involving a "minimal crisis or interference [on] our soil". In 2023, NATO allies agreed on three regional defence plans following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"[The allies are] ready in case of an escalation. In case of an attack, we know how to do it," Dragone said.
Quote: "Russia's reckless behaviour over the last weeks and months … continues to test allied resolve and aims to undermine trust and weaken our unity. I want to be clear – these attempts are not dividing us. They are sharpening our tools, making us much more united and determined."
Background:
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, citing intelligence data, that Russia is planning hybrid attacks against countries supporting Ukraine.
- Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said his country also possesses intelligence indicating that Russia is preparing hybrid attacks against Ukraine's allies.
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