Putin will attack NATO ‘in two years’

NATO countries could face a direct confrontation with Vladimir Putin within “two years,” according to a new report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

The warning comes as the Russian president opted not to attend peace talks in Turkey with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to the IISS, a ceasefire in Ukraine could give Moscow the breathing room it needs to rebuild its military before launching a new offensive.

The think tank believes Russia could be ready within two years to conduct a military campaign against a NATO member state. Researchers suggest Putin may try to test the alliance’s response by targeting a smaller member—possibly a Baltic country.

Under Article 5 of the NATO charter, an attack on one member state is considered an attack on all, requiring a collective military response. However, U.S. President Donald Trump's increasingly hostile stance toward NATO has raised concerns about the alliance’s cohesion and readiness. Trump has publicly stated that the U.S. might not honor Article 5 in the event of an attack.

Washington has recently urged NATO members to boost defense spending to 5% of their GDP by 2035 to better prepare for future threats.

According to current estimates, the United States contributes roughly 400 fighter jets, 20 destroyers, and around 128,000 troops to Europe’s defense.

(QG - Source: The Daily Express — Picture : © Pixabay)