Polish Military Chief Warns of Russia's Preparation for NATO Conflict
Russia is preparing for a conflict with NATO, fully aware that the Alliance is designed for defense, stated the Chief of the Polish Armed Forces General Staff, Gen. Wiesław Kukuła. He emphasized that Russia would leverage any weakness of the Alliance, including internal disputes, to accomplish its objectives.
11:05 AM EDT, March 19, 2024
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A conference marking the 25th anniversary of Poland's NATO membership, titled "Ensuring Security, Responding to Challenges," was hosted by the Kazimierz Pułaski Foundation in Warsaw. Participants included Gen. Wiesław Kukuła, head of the Polish Armed Forces General Staff, and Michał Szczerba, chair of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
Russia gears up for confrontation
Addressing the looming threat from Russia, Gen. Kukuła alerted that Moscow is preparing for a confrontation with NATO. "We clearly see the developments in Russia and are drawing our conclusions. To be frank, Russia is gearing up for a conflict with NATO, fully recognizing that the Alliance is fundamentally defensive," he cautioned.
He highlighted that Poland is countering the threat by rapidly modernizing its Armed Forces and bolstering societal resilience. "Our goal is not only to significantly enhance our defensive capabilities but also to sustain our military's potential and readiness under lasting pressure. The cornerstone of our deterrence strategy lies in the robust capabilities of the Armed Forces and the nation's defense readiness," he further added.
Russia to exploit vulnerabilities
According to Gen. Kukuła, Russia's aggression is fueled by three main factors. Firstly, the ideological factor, which is explicitly displayed and reflects clearly hostile intentions towards us.
Secondly, the force factor relates to the capabilities of Russian military forces. "Despite substantial losses in Ukraine and significant engagement of its forces there, Russia is reorganizing its troops and vigorously enhancing its defense sector, effectively preparing for a protracted high-intensity conflict," he observed.
The third and most unpredictable factor is the opportunity factor. "Russia is opportunistic and will capitalize on any weakness or opportunity to further its interests," he declared.
The unity of NATO is crucial
The Chief of the General Staff emphasized the importance of NATO maintaining unity to deter potential aggressors effectively. "We must avoid any fragmentation within the Alliance. Should we falter, it would significantly boost Russia's chances, sending a definitive signal to the Kremlin to initiate aggressive maneuvers," he underlined.
Gen. Kukuła also stressed the significance of adhering to the commitments of Article 3 of the North Atlantic Treaty. "NATO member states must enhance their defensive capabilities and contribute fairly to the Alliance's collective security," he remarked.
