10:12 03-12-2025

NATO: Russia Lacks Capacity to Defeat Europe Militarily

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A senior NATO official says Russia cannot defeat Europe militarily, as Putin warns of rapid escalation if Europe starts a conflict. Alliance leaders urge readiness.

A senior NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that, in the alliance’s assessment, the Russian military is currently unable to achieve a military victory over Europe. The remark came as a response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent statement that Moscow is prepared to retaliate if Europe «chooses to fight and starts a war.»

The NATO representative stressed that the alliance is «more united than ever» on matters of collective defense. He referred to Article 5 of the NATO Charter (the Washington Treaty), which commits member states to defend one another. According to him, Russia does not have the manpower or capabilities required to gain military superiority over the alliance.

A day earlier, President Putin had said that Russia has no intention of initiating a war with Europe, but if European states start an armed conflict, Moscow would respond immediately. He warned that such an escalation could quickly create a situation in which «there is simply no one left to negotiate with.» Putin also argued that European politicians are obstructing efforts by U. S. President Donald Trump’s administration to seek ways toward a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.

In June, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, citing statements from Germany’s Chief of the General Staff and other senior military officials, spoke of a possible Russian attack on NATO countries within five years. In November, France’s Chief of Defence Staff Fabien Mandon said that Russia had «globalized» the conflict in Ukraine, and intelligence assessments indicated that NATO must prepare for potential military engagement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the situation, noted that Moscow has always understood the risks of a possible confrontation with Europe and took early measures to ensure its own security.

President Putin has repeatedly referred to claims that Russia plans to attack NATO countries as «incredible lies.» He has also emphasized that Russia has never intended to strike EU or NATO states, considering such actions entirely pointless.