'We'll destroy everything': NATO chief’s chilling warning to Putin as he vows devastating response if Russian tyrant 'foolish enough' to attack alliance
European governments have accused Moscow of stepping up a campaign of sabotage, drone incursions and cyberattacks against them
US General Alexus G. Grynkewich, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), speaks during the opening session of the Warsaw Security Forum in Warsaw, Poland on October 12.
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NATO's top commander has bluntly warned Russia that his forces would destroy "anything and everything" involved in any attack if Moscow were "foolish enough" to launch an assault on alliance territory.Outlining his "theory of victory" at a security conference in Warsaw, US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich said NATO was a defensive alliance but it would block, blunt and break any attack against any of its members to ensure the assault proved "utterly futile".Grynkewich, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, made his remarks at a time of rising tension between European nations and Russia.European governments have accused Moscow of stepping up a campaign of sabotage, drone incursions and cyberattacks against them and Russia warned last month it would use nuclear weapons if NATO attempted to cut off its exclave of Kaliningrad.Read more: 'There was no Russian interference': Farage blasts Andy Burnham as 'liar' after PM said Kremlin meddled in Brexit voteRead more: Zelensky accuses Russia of breaking 'ceasefire' with strikes on Ukrainian power plant
In his speech to the Warsaw Security Forum, Grynkewich did not mention by Russia name but his message was clearly directed at Moscow. NATO's 2022 Strategic Concept describes Russia as the most significant threat to the alliance's security."If someone is foolish enough to attack us, we will fight," he said. "We will stop the attack and deny them the ability to achieve their objectives, whatever those might be. We will, in short, ensure any attack, against any ally, proves utterly futile."Grynkewich issued a clear message to Moscow that, if necessary, this would involve massive retaliation, striking far beyond the forces in the area under attack."Should the adversary choose to press the attack or commit his reserves, we will break the warfighting system engaged against us," he said.
Vladimir Putin agreed a deal with President Trump last week to allow Russia to supply diesel to global markets.
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"This includes not just the attacking force itself, but anything and everything that supports, sustains, and controls that force."Putin said this month Russia had no plans to attack any European country and wanted to coexist peacefully. Such declarations have not reassured European leaders, given Russia made similar statements before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.Grynkewich said he had decided to talk publicly about NATO's plans because recent acts of sabotage and arson had made people around the alliance nervous.
Grynkewich did not mention Russia by name but much of his message was clearly directed at Moscow.
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"What I want to do is assure the one billion citizens of our alliance that we've got this. We know what we need to do. We know how we would do it," he said.He said he also wanted to send a message to anyone considering harming NATO members.Grynkewich sought to downplay concerns about Washington's commitment to the alliance, recalling that Trump spoke of "love" at a NATO summit in Ankara in July."I was in the room and I felt the love," he said.
