Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Alexei Danilov, despite the opinion of skeptics that the Russian army is currently unable to confront NATO, believes that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin could potentially achieve his goal by discrediting the Alliance rather than defeating it in a conventional war. He said this in a piece for Atlantic Council, reports UNN.
Danilov stated that one of Putin's key goals is the destruction of the EU.
It is noted that another important strategic priority of Putin is the dissolution of NATO.
"While skeptics argue that the Russian army is currently unable to stand up to NATO, Danilov believes Putin could potentially achieve his goal by discrediting the Alliance rather than defeating it in a conventional war," the Atlantic Council piece said.
As Western weakness in Ukraine becomes increasingly apparent, Putin may try to test the shaky resolve of NATO leaders by staging a border provocation of sorts, the Atlantic Council writes.
According to Danilov, if the Alliance fails to respond adequately, there is a very real possibility that member countries will quickly lose faith in collective security and look for alternative mechanisms. NATO might formally be able to survive such a blow, but the damage to its credibility would be fatal.
"When you have a maniac running around in your neighborhood, the task is to stop him as soon as possible and not to engage in negotiations and other nonsense," Danilov said.
Если Украина проиграет, россия точно нападет на страны НАТО - Зеленский08.03.2024, 14:46
Based on his extensive interaction with NATO commanders over the past two years, the secretary of Ukraine's Security Council has full confidence in the Alliance's military leadership and believes they have no illusions about the nature of the Putin regime and the urgency of the threat facing the West. However, he also emphasizes that the same cannot necessarily be said of Europe's political leaders.
Daniloff stated that this is a sure path to potential disaster.
"The situation is strikingly similar to that of the 1930s, when the military warned of the growing danger but was overruled by politicians who preferred to appease Hitler. putin is the Hitler of our era. If we make the same mistake again, it could mean an eclipse of the West," Danilov warned.