Photo: U.S. Department of State
The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Rob Bauer, has cautioned the population of Western countries to prepare for a potential outbreak of a full-fledged war with Russia, according to a report by Sky News.
The Dutch admiral emphasized that while the armed forces are gearing up for the possibility of war, civilians must also be ready for an armed conflict that could bring significant changes to their lives.
«We must realize that the fact that we live in peace is not a guaranteed fact. That is why we (NATO forces – ed.) are preparing for a conflict with Russia. But the discussions are much broader. It’s also the industrial base, as well as people who need to understand that they have a role to play», — said Admiral Bauer.
He pointed out that Sweden’s call for its population to prepare for war was a prudent step, stating:
«This is where the realization comes in that not everything can be planned, and not everything will go smoothly in the next 20 years».
Earlier, Swedish Minister of Civil Defence Carl-Oscar Bolin had also suggested that citizens should be prepared for the outbreak of war. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius similarly warned of possible Russian aggression against a NATO member state in the coming years.