A NATO leader has called upon Europe to brace itself for the possibility of a conflict with Russia, warning that they could become Putin’s ‘next target’.
Since February 2022, Russia’s military actions in Ukraine have persisted. Former US President Donald Trump has made efforts to halt the ongoing conflict, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s senior advisor Jared Kushner visiting Moscow last month to negotiate an end to the hostilities.
Despite these efforts, Russia dismissed the president’s latest peace proposal, and Vladimir Putin has since issued a cautionary statement that Russia is ‘ready’ to engage in war if necessary in Europe.
“We’re not planning to go to war with Europe, I’ve said that a hundred times,” stated the Russian president following a recent investment forum. “But if Europe suddenly wants to fight us and starts, we’re ready right now.
“There can be no doubt about that.”
Mark Rutte, NATO’s Secretary General, has now issued a warning that Russia might target a NATO member country within the next five years.
“Russia is already escalating its covert campaign against our societies,” he remarked in a speech delivered in Germany, according to the BBC. “We must be prepared for the scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured.”
The initial version of Trump’s peace proposal was perceived as being advantageous to Russia, as it would have required Ukraine to relinquish parts of its territory. Putin criticized other European nations for obstructing the US’s attempts to resolve the conflict.
“Just imagine if Putin got his way; Ukraine under the boot of Russian occupation, his forces pressing against a longer border with Nato, and the significantly increased risk of an armed attack against us,” Rutte further elaborated in his address.
Armed forces minister Al Carns has echoed Rutte’s sentiments.
“For the last 50 to 60 years, we have been reliant on US security guarantees and now, with multipolar threats facing the US, they may not be as forthright as they have in the past,” he stated to the Telegraph.
“The shadow of war is knocking on Europe’s door once more. That’s the reality. We’ve got to be prepared to deter it. Collectively in Nato, we’ve got to remember that numerically – we outmatch Russia significantly.”
Should Russia launch an attack on a NATO country, the alliance’s Article 5 mutual defense clause would be invoked, compelling all NATO members to respond with their military forces.
Recently, a purported ‘target list’ from Russia was disclosed, allegedly naming 23 towns and cities in the UK that might be potential targets.