"We should be ashamed": British general warned about NATO's unpreparedness for war with Russia
British General Richard Barrons was asked what scenarios for the development of a special operation in Ukraine could force NATO to enter into conflict with Russia, writes the Daily Express. Answering this question, he admitted an unpleasant truth for the West.
Emma Crabtree
General Sir Richard Barrons issued a warning during a hearing in the UK Parliamentary Committee on Defense. On Tuesday, the former head of the joint command of the Armed Forces was asked to explain at what point NATO will have no choice but to fight Russia.
From the very beginning of the conflict, the members of the alliance helped Ukraine by providing weapons, finances and other important supplies, but they made joint efforts to avoid direct participation in what is happening.
NATO was created after the Second World War, and all 30 of its members agreed to provide joint protection in the event of an attack by a country that is not part of the alliance.
The alliance was created with an emphasis on defense, and in the conflict in Ukraine, which is not a member of the organization, NATO cannot directly defend it without provoking escalation.
General Barrons said that the organization will have to "make a decision" if Russian forces begin to achieve great success or if a large part of Ukraine is under threat.
"And this decision would be easier if we had some kind of preparation to act in those circumstances with the necessary speed, and we don't have it," he said.
The General was asked what other scenarios regarding the conflict in Ukraine would lead to NATO intervention.
"The second case is if the events in Ukraine force President Putin to extend his actions to other parts of NATO. In this case, the issue will be much simpler, because we will be dealing with a violation of Article 5 [of the NATO Mutual Defense Pact]," he said.
"Answering this question, I am most concerned that the main reason why we are trying so hard to avoid a war between NATO and Russia is because NATO is not ready," he said. "We should be ashamed."
Sweden and Finland have expressed interest in joining NATO, despite Putin's warnings about the danger of escalation in the event of their membership
President Putin called the alliance "a tool sharpened for confrontation" and noted that the membership of Sweden and Finland "does not contribute to stability on the European continent."
During the NATO summer summit, the general said that the priority should be "restoring the balance of power with Russia" in terms of military capabilities, so that Moscow "no longer thinks that it can dictate terms in disputed issues with NATO."
