NATO top commander to warn Russia over alliance’s ability to counter-attack

NATO top commander to warn Russia over alliance’s ability to counter-attack

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NATO's top military commander, US General Alexus Grynkewich, is expected to warn Russia on Monday that the alliance can counter any attack, officials said. The warning comes amid Western concerns over Moscow's alleged campaign of sabotage and interference against Ukraine's wartime backers. Grynkewich will outline his "theory of victory" at a Warsaw security conference, where he will elaborate on the alliance's deterrence and defence plans.

NATO officials have said that Grynkewich's "theory of victory" is simple: maintain NATO's advantage, which is consistent with and grounded upon the alliance's deterrence and defence plans. However, given the unsettled and complex global security environment, the alliance needs to set conditions now to deter aggression and, if necessary, win if attacked.

The move from the top military commander comes as NATO seeks to send a message to Moscow to halt what Western officials say is a "hybrid" campaign of sabotage and interference against Ukraine's backers in the war against Russia. Fears have grown in recent months that the Kremlin is stepping up its actions after high-profile incidents, including the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at a German airport.

NATO traditionally closely guards its defence plans to counter any attack by Russia. Grynkewich's intervention looks unlikely to divulge many new details on NATO's strategy and is intended to both send a signal to Moscow and reassure members on the alliance's eastern flank. NATO insists it remains a defensive alliance and has no intention of attacking Russia.

The alliance has struggled to work out how to cope with incidents in the grey zone beneath open conflict. Western officials say that Moscow's "hybrid attacks" have become more reckless as the Kremlin's forces are stalled in Ukraine, and that they risk causing significant loss of life.

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