NATO prepares for war with Russia by holding largest military exercises since the Cold War
Aimed to prepare for a potential war with Russia, NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercises have become the alliance's largest military drills since the Cold War, NATO’s Military Committee Chair, Admiral Rob Bauer, told the Financial Times.
The experience gained during the Steadfast Defender exercises is expected to form the basis for NATO's plans to deploy and reinforce forces in Europe in case of war.
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The exercises started on January 24 and will continue until the end of spring 2024.
NATO aims to demonstrate the alliance's capacity to swiftly deploy forces from North America and other regions to reinforce Europe's defense.
NATO officials believe Russia, as an aggressor nation, will likely attack a NATO member country, not only Ukraine. Diplomats argue there is "no luxury to think" Russia's aggression will stop at Ukraine's border, the Financial Times wrote.
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"The threat is real, and we must prepare for it," a senior NATO diplomat said, responding to warnings of a possible Russian attack against a NATO member state.
Threat of Russian attack on NATO - What's known
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Russia might try to attack Europe by late 2024 or early 2025, when the United States could be in a weakened leadership position that delays its ability to assist European allies, reported Germany’s Bild, citing its intelligence sources from a European country.
This refers to the period between the departure of President Joe Biden in early November 2024 and the assumption of office by the next president in January 2025.
If Russia seizes Ukraine, it could then attack NATO member countries, Biden told the U.S. Congress in a speech on Dec. 6, 2023.
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