Russia will not risk attacking Baltic states, NATO general says
NATO General Alexus G. Grynkewich (photo: Getty Images)
NATO General Alexus G. Grynkewich is confident that Russia will not dare to attack the Baltic states. Moscow understands that it would face inevitable military defeat in a conflict with the Alliance, the Financial Times reports.
General Grynkewich commands NATO's allied forces in Europe and ensures that intelligence operates around the clock. The military officer personally reviews all incoming data. In his view, the Kremlin is not currently seeking a confrontation with the West.
"I've watched the intelligence very closely," he said during a panel discussion at the ILA Berlin Air Show.
He emphasized that the Alliance has the advantage and that Russian President Vladimir Putin knows it. Grynkewich stressed that NATO remains a defensive organization with enormous resources.
"Russia is not looking for a conflict . . . They do understand the term 'defensive alliance', and they do understand that we have a number of asymmetric advantages," Grynkewich said.
Europe nervous over reduction of US bases
The general's remarks come amid complex political developments in Washington, the FT writes. The United States plans to reduce part of its military presence on the European continent while maintaining a specific force model — reserves that must be ready for combat within 10, 30, or 180 days.
Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia see this as a threat. They fear security gaps. However, Grynkewich is trying to reassure allies. He considers the deterrence system reliable.
NATO is always ready
Grynkewich also commands US European Command and says his main goal is to make the cost of an attack unacceptable for Russia.
"Russia understands that, should they try something in the Baltic States, they won't succeed. Because they know they won't succeed, they won't take the risk on something like that," the general stressed.
NATO forces remain on high combat readiness. There will be no delays, the general said.
He added: "When people ask me, are you ready to fight tonight? Absolutely."
What is known about Russian provocations against NATO countries
Russian drones are increasingly entering Alliance countries. NATO countries were particularly concerned by a recent drone incident in Romania, when a Geran UAV crashed onto the roof of a house in the city of Galați, injuring people.
Meanwhile, Latvia has already begun installing the so-called dragon's teeth and anti-tank trenches along its entire border with Russia. The barriers are arranged in three rows, approximately 10 meters wide, with each element weighing one and a half tons.
