Kathrine Frich
Relations between Russia and NATO have deteriorated sharply in recent months.
Several alliance members accusing Moscow of sending drones and military aircraft across their airspace.
Security officials have warned that these incursions, along with cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, point to a wider pattern of escalating pressure.
Against this backdrop, a former NATO commander now argues that Europe may be facing a turning point.
Mounting concerns
Sir Richard Shirreff, former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, told the Romanian outlet Libertatea that the risk of a Russia–NATO confrontation is increasing.
He said the danger would intensify if the US president forces Ukraine to accept defeat, warning it would mean “the destruction of Ukraine as a sovereign state.”
He argued that Russia would only retreat if confronted with a clear military setback.
For that to happen, he said, Europe must unite behind a long-term strategy involving intelligence sharing, training support and economic measures “to effectively bring the Russian economy to the ground,” alongside fully enforced sanctions.
But he doubts Europe will act decisively, saying the continent is still relying on an American response that may no longer be dependable.
Strained transatlantic trust
Shirreff insisted that Europe “cannot rely on” the United States in its current political climate.
He said that the only proposal put forward by Donald Trump would amount to compelling Ukraine to surrender, describing Trump as “at Putin’s beck and call.”
He added that Trump and Senator J.D. Vance misunderstand Russia’s strategic ambitions, which he views as a direct threat not only to Europe but to the wider transatlantic alliance.
“What’s even more sinister,” he said, “is that Trump is at Putin’s little finger,” suggesting the former president could be eyeing potential business opportunities in Russian-occupied regions. He called the situation “pretty shameful.”
Ignored signals
The former commander said Western governments repeatedly overlooked explicit warnings from Vladimir Putin.
He cited the 2007 Munich Security Conference and Russia’s 2008 war in Georgia, noting that NATO still described Moscow as a strategic partner at its 2010 summit.
He fears Europe will eventually recognise the danger “but it will be too late.”
Shirreff described Putin’s system as one rooted in violence, arguing the Russian leader “fears peace more than war.”
He warned that a forced Ukrainian surrender could pave the way for pressure on Moldova, Georgia, the Baltic states and possibly Romania.
He concluded that Ukraine should receive long-range Western weapons, including Tomahawk missiles, saying Kyiv has already hit Russian targets “with remarkable success.”
Sources: Libertatea, Ziare
