NATO Considers 'Preemptive Strikes' Against Russia: FT

Serious strategic changes are maturing within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The organization is now actively studying new options to counter Russia's alleged aggressive actions, among which the possibility of preventive strikes holds a key place. This was reported to the Financial Times by the head of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone.

According to the admiral, the alliance intends to move to a more proactive policy. This implies abandoning a purely reactive stance; instead, the option of getting ahead of events and taking preventive actions is being considered. Dragone emphasized that NATO plans to formulate and present such strikes as necessary defensive measures.

However, there are serious obstacles on the path to implementing these plans, which the military official does not hide. Dragone admitted that such an approach is outside the scope of NATO's traditional practice and modus operandi. The problems are mainly of a legal nature, which complicates decision-making. In addition, the mechanism is not yet clear, in particular, which body or unit within the alliance will be authorized to carry out such actions.

The Russian side has reacted harshly to these statements by the Western military bloc.

Russia's ambassador to Belgium, Denis Gonchar, insisted that NATO has actually begun to prepare for a "big war" against Russia. According to the diplomat, for this purpose, the alliance is frightening its own population with the Kremlin's "non-existent plans" that Moscow is allegedly preparing to attack the alliance's member countries.