In an exclusive interview given to USA TODAY, the American ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker, stated that allies must be prepared, in the event that Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to attack.
It’s possible that Russian President Vladimir Putin may not have an imminent attack on NATO member countries in his plans, but the United States insists that their military allies should train and invest as if that were the case, in order to be prepared to repel an unexpected attack.
After, according to leaked information from American intelligence services, it was revealed that Russia could launch a limited attack – such as a ground incursion or a cyber attack – on a member country in the next few years, America’s allies are on high alert.
The warning contradicted previous assessments that Putin would not try to draw NATO into a conflict as long as the war with Ukraine continues, and it came amid concerns about a shortage of American weaponry, as the Trump administration is waging a war against Iran.
“You cannot predict what Putin will do”
In an exclusive interview for USA TODAY, at the military alliance headquarters in Brussels, Matt Whitaker avoided directly commenting on the leaked information, but insisted on the need for allies to remain vigilant regarding defense spending and arms production.
“You can’t predict what Vladimir Putin or any other adversary will do. All you can do is be prepared for it, discourage them, and make that move not worth their effort,” Whitaker said. “And I believe that we are preparing every day to prevent this from happening and, if it does happen, to be ready for it.
“We should know that our adversary has invaded Ukraine, so we should all be quite lucid,” added Whitaker.
Without directly commenting on the classified information, initially appearing in The Wall Street Journal, people familiar with these assessments described the allies’ reaction as one of surprise, learning that Putin might have the ability to attack NATO states earlier than anticipated.
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