NATO would send troops to Ukraine if Russia did not have nuclear weapons - Bauer
Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee (Getty Images)
If the Russian Federation did not possess nuclear weapons, NATO would have deployed forces onto Ukrainian territory to help repel Russian terrorists. Ukraine holds strategic importance for the Alliance, citing NATO Military Committee Chairman Admiral Rob Bauer at the Prague Defense Summit, which took place from November 8 to 10.
"I am absolutely certain that if the Russians did not have nuclear weapons, we would have been in Ukraine a long time ago to kick them out. We certainly would have done that," Bauer said, adding that "the Taliban do not have nuclear weapons, the Russians do" and this is what differentiates the wars in Ukraine and Afghanistan.
According to the admiral, he does not consider NATO’s involvement in a war against Russia impossible; however, in that case, NATO "would be taking a risk as an alliance."
"Afterward, everybody will say the red line wasn't the red line. So why didn't we give those weapons earlier? But if you are looking at the problem in the future, when the question arises and you don’t necessarily understand the consequences, then it's much more difficult," he explained.
He also pointed out that Ukraine cannot be compared to Afghanistan, as it holds strategic importance for NATO. For this reason, the United States must not allow dictator Vladimir Putin to emerge victorious from the war.
Russian nuclear threats
Russia regularly threatens the use of nuclear weapons, especially against Western countries and the United States. Recently, Putin suggested amending national policy on the use of nuclear weapons. The updated Russian nuclear doctrine includes plans to clarify certain aspects regarding situations where weapons of mass destruction might be deemed permissible.
The European Union sharply condemned these new statements, as the dictator implied a nuclear response might be considered in the event of large-scale airstrikes on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Meanwhile, as noted by Time, Western leaders are increasingly resistant to Moscow’s nuclear threats. Their resolve to support Ukraine continues to strengthen.
