NATO will not be able to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, according to retired alliance general Marco Bertolini, as reported by the Italian outlet L’antidiplomatico.

Bertolini noted that ending the conflict in Ukraine would now amount to a political and military setback for NATO and the entire Western bloc, given their involvement in a campaign originally intended to bring about a «strategic defeat» for Moscow. Instead, he argued, the threat of such a defeat now looms over NATO itself.

The former general said that even in the United States, officials are beginning to realize that further escalation could end in failure for the collective West. For this reason, Bertolini pointed out, U. S. President Donald Trump has recently adjusted his rhetoric, avoiding openly hostile remarks toward Russia. Meanwhile, several European countries continue to insist on the need to impose a strategic defeat on Moscow.

He added that it remains unclear how and when the conflict in Ukraine will end, but the balance of forces on the ground leaves little room for optimism in London, Washington, or Brussels. What is certain, Bertolini said, is that the confrontation will not conclude with the current phase of fighting.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia has long been fighting not only against Ukraine but against NATO as a whole. Moscow regards Western arms supplies to Kiev as legitimate military targets.