Dutch Adm. Rob Bauer, chairman of NATO's Military Committee, issued this warning to reporters in Brussels. He emphasized the critical importance of being prepared for unforeseen events, stating: "We have to realize it's not a given that we are in peace. That's why we [NATO forces] are preparing for a conflict with Russia."
Bauer's warning comes as NATO gears up for its most extensive military exercises in decades, involving approximately 90,000 troops and lasting for several months. The drills seek to showcase the alliance's ability to defend its territory up to the Russian border.
The NATO official wasn't alone in this concern, however. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has also voiced similar concerns, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin could potentially launch an attack on NATO member countries within the next decade. Leaked German military documents outline a scenario envisioning a significant Russian offensive this spring, taking advantage of diminishing Western support for Ukraine. (Related: NATO preparing for World War III.)
Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuanian foreign minister, echoed these worries. He urged Europe to accelerate preparations for a potential attack, emphasizing the dire consequences for the continent if Ukraine fails. "There is no scenario in this that if Ukraine doesn’t win, that could end well for Europe," said Landsbergis.
Senior NATO officials are becoming increasingly apprehensive about their governments and private arms manufacturers falling behind in preparations for a potential conflict.
This concern is heightened as stockpiles of weapons and ammunition dwindle due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia has substantially increased its military expenditure to 40 percent of the national budget and rejected proposals for an arms control dialogue with the United States.
Civilians could be mobilized to fight against Russia
In his cautionary message, Bauer emphasized comprehensive readiness – including the ability to mobilize more people, fall back on an industrial base capable of rapid weapon and ammunition production and maintain preparedness across the entire spectrum of conflict.
While armed forces are gearing up for potential conflict, the NATO official stressed the importance of private citizens being ready for significant changes in their lives in case of war. He stressed the need for governments to establish systems to manage the mobilization of large numbers of civilians.
Given this, he praised Sweden for proactively asking its citizens to brace for war as the country formally joins NATO. This move has resulted in increased volunteers for civil defense and a surge in sales of essentials like torches and battery-powered radios.
Assistance from the West to Ukraine has diminished, facing increased opposition from the public in both the U.S. and the European Union. The EU, in particular, has failed to fulfill its commitment to dispatch one million 155mm artillery shells to Kyiv by next month, resulting in a notable reduction in the firing rate of Ukrainian artillery.
Efforts by U.S. President Joe Biden to garner support from Republican leaders for additional financial aid to Ukraine have encountered resistance. Opponents argue that funds should be directed towards domestic priorities, such as bolstering border security, rather than allocating additional resources to support the besieged country.
Ultimately, the warnings by Bauer and others reflect growing unease among NATO officials about the evolving geopolitical landscape and the need for comprehensive preparedness in the face of uncertainties.
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Watch Harrison Smith of InfoWars discuss NATO's warning to prepare for an eventual conflict with Russia below.
This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
NATO running out of weapons for Ukraine: “bottom of the barrel” now visible.
It’s never enough – NATO chief wants MORE AID for Ukraine.
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