8/5/2024
reading time 2 minutes
NATO has set two “red lines” in a “confidential form”, the crossing of which could lead to a potential decision to send its soldiers to war in Ukraine, the Italian newspaper La Repubblica reports, citing sources. At the same time, he notes that the Alliance is not developing any operational plans that would relate to this possibility.
La Repubblica also mentioned that NATO has started preparing for war with Russia. For example, the publication mentions the largest exercise in Europe since 1988, Steadfast Defender 2024, which began at the end of January 2024. Approximately 90,000 people are involved in these exercises, which simulate a confrontation with an adversary of comparable strength.
The first red line is Russia’s breach of Ukraine’s defense line and the involvement of a third country in the war, namely Belarus, the sources said. The Ukrainian-Belarusian border stretches for more than 1,084 km, making it difficult for the Ukrainian military to control all of its areas.
As the paper suggests, if Minsk becomes directly involved in the military conflict, its troops and arsenal will be crucial for Moscow. This circumstance may prompt NATO actions aimed at helping Ukraine.
The second “red line” is Russia’s military provocations against the Baltic countries, Poland or “a deliberate attack on Moldova”, the sources added. In February, French President Emmanuel Macron hinted that Western ground forces could be sent to Ukraine. Many NATO members, including Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and German officials, immediately rejected the idea.
NATO has previously condemned Russia’s “intensifying campaign of activities” carried out in the Euro-Atlantic region, including on NATO territory and through intermediaries.
The alliance said in a statement that it is aware of incidents of sabotage, acts of violence, cyber and electronic interventions, disinformation campaigns and other hybrid operations by Moscow in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Great Britain.
Source in Italian: HERE
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