It is the second anniversary since Russia’s repeated invasion of Ukraine
Putin has made NATO stronger than ever, but Ukraine joining the alliance could risk another world war, former NATO deputy secretary-general Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo has warned, The Sun reports.
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On NATO’s 75th birthday, Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo warned: “There is always the threat of another world war.”
Since 1949, NATO has increased its forces throughout Eastern Europe and expanded to 32 member states. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 revived the alliance as it was forced to confront one of the most serious conflicts in the West since the alliance was formed.
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NATO countries face a huge challenge to ensure that Ukraine, which is applying to join, does not lose the fight and is able to fend off Putin’s forces.
But NATO has a larger GDP (20 times that of Russia) and 3.2 million military personnel compared to Russia’s 1.2 million.
In total, the alliance also has four times as many tanks, three times as many fighter jets and 16 aircraft carriers compared to Putin’s one.
Putin said he declared war on Ukraine in part because NATO was expanding closer to Russia’s borders. The Russian tyrant’s aim was to weaken the alliance, but instead he has strengthened NATO, the 83-year-old said.
He explained to The Sun: “Russia’s aggression in Ukraine was intended to fight against NATO in a way. But it turned out the other way around… You see that Finland and Sweden, which previously had no intention of joining NATO, became NATO members. The war has strengthened NATO. It’s paradoxical, but it has happened.”
But Minuto-Rizzo says he believes Ukraine’s joining NATO would have dangerous consequences, and believes Kyiv would be better protected if it were not a member of the alliance.
Several Eastern European countries, including Poland and the Baltic states, believe that Ukraine’s accession to NATO would be the most effective way to stop Putin. Other NATO officials have warned that it is too early.
Minuto-Rizzo said: “I’m not sure that expanding NATO with Ukraine is a step for the better. There are many ways to protect countries after the war is over without becoming NATO members. There is no need for Ukraine to become a member of NATO.
If Ukraine becomes a member of NATO, it will immediately change the nature of the war – it will be Russia’s war against NATO countries.
It will be something new, different and dangerous.”
As the Western military alliance turns 75, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg proposed the creation of a five-year, $108 billion fund in an effort to provide long-term support to Kyiv. He is also pushing to get NATO more directly involved in coordinating supplies, something the alliance has so far refused to do because it fears it could bring the alliance closer to war with Russia.
Consequences of Russia’s attack on Ukraine
However, Minuto-Rizzo emphasized: “It is more logical to defend Ukraine as much as possible, to support Ukraine economically… but at the same time without aggression in Russia. With defense, but not with offense. If NATO sends troops to Ukraine, it will change the course of the war. And it is not necessary. The best thing to do is to support Ukrainians to fight for their country.
And there is always the threat of another world war. I don’t think that will happen, but you never know. So it’s better to follow the rules.”
On Thursday, the Kremlin announced that Russia and NATO were now in “direct confrontation.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “In fact, relations have now descended to the level of direct confrontation. NATO was already involved in the conflict around Ukraine and continues to advance towards our borders and expand its military infrastructure towards our borders.”
Minuto-Rizzo warned that talk of World War III is very dangerous. He urged world leaders to stop discussing the possibility of nuclear war, so as not to provoke anyone to a foolish step, because it will be a disaster for everyone.
Ukraine after the Russian missile attack. January 2, 2024
Despite Putin’s threats, Minuto-Rizzo does not believe that the tyrant will attack a NATO country: “Russia is not as strong as others might think. After all, Russia has a smaller GDP than Italy. They are very strong militarily, but not a superpower like the Soviet Union was.
I don’t understand why they would want to attack Western Europe and NATO countries like Romania or Poland. That would be a big mistake. I don’t think that will happen.”
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