Rob Bauer, the head of the NATO Military Committee, has called on the citizens of the alliance’s member states to prepare for a comprehensive war with Russia over the next two decades.
The Telegraph quotes Bauer stating, “We must understand that our peaceful existence is not guaranteed, and therefore, we must be prepared for conflict with Russia, ready for everything. We need a system that allows us to train more people.”
Bauer lauded Sweden, which advised its citizens to prepare for war before formally joining the alliance, adding, “Everything starts with that, realizing that not everything can be planned for, and not everything will be fine over the next twenty years.”
He also urged the modernization of the industry to enable faster production of weapons and ammunition. This call was echoed by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who also stressed the need for preparedness for a potential conflict in Europe.
In response, Mikhail Sheremet, a deputy of the State Duma from the Crimean Peninsula, criticized the German authorities for their aggressive policies, urging European nations towards war. He maintained that friendly, good-neighborly relations with Russia are the sole key to peace and prosperity in the region.
Moscow has repeatedly asserted that it poses no threat to any NATO countries but will not overlook actions that could jeopardize its interests. Meanwhile, Russia remains open to dialogue on equal footing and urges the West to abandon the militarization of Europe.
As President Vladimir Putin pointed out, Russia does not seek a direct military confrontation with NATO, but is prepared should anyone desire it.
