Home World NATO insider issues dire warning on 'extraordinary complacency' over Russian threat

NATO insider issues dire warning on 'extraordinary complacency' over Russian threat


Rishi Sunak has been guilty of “extraordinary complacency” when it comes to defence since the start of the war in Ukraine, Britain’s ex-Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe has claimed.

General Sir Richard Shirreff believes the world is now “exceptionally dangerous” and is “only going to get more dangerous” as a result of the increasing belligerence of countries such Russia, China and Iran.

But the British Army veteran, who spent 37 years in the armed forces, accused the Government of “resting on its laurels”

In an interview with speakers agency Champions Speakers, he explained: “Every year, the challenges ramp up.

“The UK is one of very few European countries where the defence budget has not gone up in any shape or size since the start of the Ukraine War.”

Germany will spend more than two percent of GDP on defence this year and will probably increase that next year, Poland was now spending four percent of GDP on defence and the three Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – were also increasing spending, along with several other European countries, Gen Sir Richard pointed out.

He continued: “Britain, I believe, has shown extraordinary complacency. I think it has sat back on its laurels and this government has said, ‘We were the first to support Ukraine’, which is true and credit is credit where credit is due.

“But it hasn’t recognised yet, the real risks involved and the fact that if Ukraine is to achieve a decisive result – a victory over Russia – and that is by no means a given – in fact, Ukraine right now is on the backfoot – the West has got to dig deep.

“It has got to mobilise its economies. It has got to put itself effectively on a war economy footing not just to produce the military capability, but frankly, to grow the GDP in order to be able to afford to do it.”

General Shirreff also suggested the re-election of Donald Trump as President would “disconnect America from European security” – although he did not believe he would actually pull the US out of NATO.

Nevertheless, he added: “I think under Trump, America will become a sleeping partner and really do the absolute minimum.

“That places a real imperative on European countries to step up to the mark in ways they haven’t simply stepped up to the mark in years, not since the days of the Cold War.

“The alliance has always been dependent on America and if Trump comes in and disengages from it later, then we’re into really dangerous territory.

“If Trump pulls all American aid out of Ukraine, that leaves two alternatives. Either Ukraine goes it alone or Europe steps up to the mark. So this election is going to be of critical importance.”

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps last week said he would like UK defence spending to rise to three percent of GDP.

Speaking as he unveiled a £2billion Chinook helicopters deal with Boeing, he said: “I have coined the phrase ‘moving from post-war to pre-war’. We have to be much better prepared.

“Defence is the best way to protect ourselves against a military conflict – you have to show your adversaries – so I am clearly in favour of a three percent target.

“We live in a more dangerous world, we’ve got Putin on the frontline making gains.”

A government spokesperson said: “Our Armed Forces are among the very best in the world and we are spending a record amount on defence.

“This includes an extra £24 billion between 2020-2025, the largest sustained increase since the end of the Cold War.

“The military is protecting the UK and our allies, including on every single NATO mission, supporting Ukraine against Putin’s aggression and tackling Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.”

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