Top Polish general confirms Russian preparations for conflict with NATO

Russia is preparing for a conflict with NATO in the next decade, Poland’s top general, Wiesław Kukuła, said during a debate organised to mark the 25th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the world’s largest military alliance.

The statement by the Chief of the Polish General Staff echoes those of other top European defence and intelligence officials.

“Russia has chosen a path which is a long-term confrontation,” Kaupo Rosin, Estonia’s foreign intelligence chief, recently argued, as reported by Reuters.

Russia may be anticipating a conflict with NATO within “the next decade or so”, said Rosin, noting that due to the current war in Ukraine, an imminent military attack remains “highly unlikely.”

On Monday, the general participated in a debate organised on the 25th anniversary of Poland’s accession to NATO.

“Russia is preparing for a conflict with NATO, fully aware that the Alliance is a defensive structure,” Kukuła said at the debate.

As he later explained, the post-Soviet country’s willingness to attack is determined by three factors: ideology, defence potential, and opportunity, the last being the least predictable.

“Russia is an opportunist and will exploit any opportunity and any emerging weakness that can be operationalised to achieve its own interests,” he added.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, defence has become a centrepiece of European policy, with member states not only supporting the war-torn country but also building up their military capabilities.

According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, 18 of 31 allies will spend more than 2% of their GDP on defence this year.

(Sonia Otfinowska | Euractiv.pl)