NATO insiders fear Russian attack on multiple fronts
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg on the developments of the Ukraine conflict
Given the conflict in Ukraine, representatives from 30 NATO countries and Russia met for the first time in more than two years. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg explains here whether the states were able to come to an agreement and what NATO is now planning.
According to a media report, there are fears within NATO that Russia could use its recently greatly increased military presence to launch attacks on a broader front – including against member states. NATO will not be able to counter such escalation in haste.
IThere are clear warnings within NATO that Russian President Vladimir Putin could seek armed conflict with the West beyond Ukraine. As diplomats from several states of the military alliance reported to “Spiegel”, there are fears that Russian armed forces may use their recently increased presence in the Mediterranean, North Atlantic and Arctic to strike on a broader front. – Even against this NATO countries. In such a situation, massive propaganda campaigns and cyber attacks can also be expected.
According to NATO, at the moment there is no concrete indication of the preparations for such an attack. But the opportunities for Moscow to advance are real – and in an emergency, NATO will not have to counter Russia quickly, either militarily or digitally.
Recently, the Russian government has asked NATO not to accept any more former Soviet republics by contract and to withdraw its troops from eastern allies. Putin has gathered about 100,000 soldiers along the border with Ukraine.
A prominent Russian diplomat has also visited the US continent likely to involve Russian forces. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with Russian television broadcaster RTVI TV on Thursday that he could neither confirm nor deny the possibility of Russia deploying military infrastructure in Cuba and Venezuela. .
Ryabkov on Monday led a Russian delegation to the US-Russian talks in Geneva on the tense situation along the Ukrainian border and other security issues. Discussions in Geneva and talks between Russia and NATO in Vienna on Wednesday failed to resolve the rift regarding security guarantees sought by Russia against the backdrop of building up Russian forces near Ukraine.
