As they say, the continent is in a “new era of threats”, in which there is no more room for illusions, passivity or postponing key decisions.
The warnings come at a time when talks are underway in Berlin about possible peace initiatives for Ukraine, while Great Britain is simultaneously finalizing plans for a significant increase in defense spending. The British military leadership emphasizes that the Russian threat does not only refer to the war in Ukraine, but directly affects the security of the entire NATO.
The director of the British intelligence service MI6, Blaise Metreweli, said that Russia remains an “aggressive, expansionist and revisionist power”, stressing that destabilization is not an accidental consequence, but an integral part of Russian policy. According to him, the “export of chaos” will continue until Vladimir Putin is forced to change his political and military calculations. Metreweli added that support for Ukraine will remain long-term and that pressure on Moscow will continue.
The head of the British Navy, Admiral Gwyn Jenkins, warned of the growing threat of underwater attacks and increased Russian activity in the Atlantic Ocean. He pointed out that the strategic advantage that the West has had since World War II is seriously threatened, warning that without urgent investment and adaptation, this advantage could be lost.
British Defense Minister John Healey recently condemned the entry of the Russian spy ship “Yantar” into British territorial waters, evaluating the move as deeply dangerous. The British Navy and Air Force monitored the ship’s movements, and Healey described the incident as a clear indication that the world was facing a much more unpredictable and dangerous security environment.
Deputy Defense Secretary Al Carnes warned that Europe is no longer entering “wars of choice” but “wars of necessity”, with huge human casualties. Speaking on the occasion of the establishment of a new British military intelligence service, he emphasized that Russian aggression in Ukraine clearly shows how war has once again become a reality on European soil.
The Chief of the General Staff of the British Armed Forces, Richard Knighton, said that the threat posed by Russia requires a response from the whole society, not just the army. He pointed out that the war in Ukraine shows Vladimir Putin’s willingness to attack neighboring countries and the civilian population, which represents a direct threat to the entire NATO alliance, including the United Kingdom. He concluded that this is the most dangerous moment in his career and that the entire nation must prepare for new security challenges.
(Vijesti.ba)
