During an interview with Europa Liberă România, a news service connected to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Romania's chief of defense warned of the country's lack of readiness for a possible confrontation with Russia.
With this statement, Romania joins the group of NATO members that are becoming more concerned about the possibility of conflict with Russia, as per Newsweek.
Romania and NATO Alarmed by Russia War Threat
General Vlad emphasized the need for Romania to take the threat seriously, expressing concerns that his country is currently ill-equipped to face the prospect of war with Russia. The admission follows recent remarks by top NATO officials, including Dutch Adm. Rob Bauer, chairman of NATO's military committee, who warned that an all-out war with Russia could unfold within the next two decades.
Speaking in Brussels after a meeting of the alliance's defense chiefs, Adm. Bauer underlined the importance of recognizing that peace is not guaranteed, stressing that NATO forces are actively preparing for a potential conflict with Russia. The warning preceded the commencement of the bloc's largest military exercises in decades, involving approximately 90,000 troops and spanning several months, aimed at demonstrating the alliance's ability to defend its territory up to its border with Russia.
Adm. Bauer also highlighted the necessity of mobilizing a significant number of civilians in the event of war, urging governments within the alliance to proactively plan for such a massive mobilization. He cautioned that not everything is predictable in the coming decades, emphasizing the importance of preparing for unforeseen challenges.
Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius contributed to the growing concerns, suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin could potentially launch an attack on NATO countries within the next decade. Despite leaked German military documents presenting a scenario of a Spring 2024 Russian attack, German officials deemed the likelihood of such an event "extremely unlikely."
Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis echoed the urgency for Europe to accelerate preparations, expressing concern that Russia might not be contained in Ukraine. Landsbergis warned that in the scenario where Ukraine doesn't succeed, the outcome would not bode well for Europe, according to New York Post.
NATO Concerns Over Russia's Military Buildup
Amidst these concerns, senior NATO officials are worried that their governments and private arms manufacturers are falling behind in preparations for a potential conflict. Russia, on the other hand, has significantly increased its military expenditure, allocating 40% of its national budget to defense and intensifying manufacturing efforts.
Despite these ominous signs, Russia has rejected an American proposal to reopen an arms control dialogue, with officials claiming that the US is seeking a strategic defeat of Russia in Ukraine as the New Start treaty is set to expire in February 2026.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed claims by President Biden in December that Russia could go to war with NATO as "complete nonsense," NATO is gearing up for its largest military exercise since the Cold War. The operation, named Steadfast Defender, is specifically designed to prepare the alliance for a potential Russian invasion.
NATO generals, including as Brigadier General Frank Schmitz, stress the need of resolving issues like the interchangeability of NATO soldiers and equipment in order to assure a strong reaction. They also recognize the necessity of having capabilities in the rear. NATO leaders agree that, despite the difficulties, being prepared on all fronts is essential to handling any crises in the next few years, The Messaggero reported.
