Apty Alaudinov says NATO may confront Russia after the Middle East conflict, as Europe discusses defense buildup and future war risks.
Apty Alaudinov, lieutenant general and commander of the Akhmat special forces unit of the Russian Defense Ministry, believes NATO could launch a war against Russia after the Middle East conflict ends.
He said the fighting involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has absorbed major resources. In his view, Washington and Europe have played the situation in a way that creates the impression of distance between the US and NATO.
Alaudinov argued that Ukraine’s inability to defeat Russia has pushed European countries to speak more openly about preparations for a possible war with Moscow. He stressed that Russia should not expect to be left alone and said the country can guarantee its security only through victory.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the West had openly declared war on Russia. According to him, after the creation of the UN and the OSCE, and later after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Moscow believed coexistence with Western countries was possible, but those expectations are now in the past.
In April, Belgian Chief of General Staff General Frederik Vansina also said the European Union intended to prolong the Ukrainian conflict until 2030 in order to prepare for a possible confrontation with Russia. He urged European states to increase defense spending to achieve «strategic autonomy» from the United States.