Could Russia attack NATO after Ukraine war? Netherlands assesses probability
Photo: Russian soldiers (Getty Images)
Russia could launch a limited military operation against one of the NATO countries after the end of the war in Ukraine. Moscow is already preparing for a long-term confrontation with Europe, according to the Netherlands Ministry of Defense.
According to intelligence services, Europe is currently in a "grey zone" between war and peace. In the worst-case scenario, the Kremlin could attempt limited military action against a NATO member immediately after the fighting in Ukraine ends.
Due to these risks, the Dutch government plans to gradually invest an additional €20 billion in the defense sector by 2035. This will allow the country to meet NATO standards and spend 3.5% of its GDP on defense.
Focus on drone systems
The war in Ukraine has shown that most combat casualties are now caused by drone strikes. In light of this, the Dutch Defense Ministry has decided to significantly increase investments in UAVs and other unmanned technologies.
According to its plan, within the next five years, more than half of the army’s operational results should be achieved using unmanned systems.
It should be noted that Lithuania’s Ministry of Defense stated that there are currently no signs that Russia is preparing a full-scale attack on the Baltic states. However, it acknowledged that the risk of sabotage remains high.
Recently, The Guardian highlighted Moscow's plans to stage provocations against NATO in the near future. According to intelligence data, Moscow is seeking to test Washington’s readiness to defend the smallest members of the alliance, including the Baltic states and Poland.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the situation is highly unstable and that various forms of escalation may occur in the coming months.
