Russia It seems like they are getting ready for a big conflict with Nato sooner than expected, a think tank has cautioned.
American policy research group The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) came to this conclusion after examining military, economic and financial indicators.
President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to make Russia more stable economy are believed to be part of getting ready for a potential big conflict with Nato, not just for a prolonged war in Ukraine.
According to the ISW assessment, the Russian military is making changes so it can continue fighting in Ukraine while also expanding its conventional capabilities in case it decides to increase the aggression.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has stated the military plans to create two combined-arms armies and 14 divisions and 16 brigades by the end of this year.
However, the ISW isn’t as hopeful, saying Putin currently doesn’t have enough people, infrastructure, and training capacity to properly staff the divisions in the short term.
Other changes within the Russian government, such as the appointment of Lieutenant General Andrei Bulyga as the deputy defense minister, may also indicate the country is preparing for a long-term conflict.
On Monday, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Nato must increase its defense spending urgently.
Speaking to CNBC, he referred to unspecified German research indicating Putin is intensifying his transition to a war economy with the intention of attacking Nato in 2026 or 2027.
‘The alarm bells are ringing,’ Mr Duda said in the interview.
He added: ‘We have two or three years in which we can increase our efforts, stockpile ammunition and produce weapons to maximize European security, get ready and make sure the invasion does not happen.
‘All this needs to be done in order not to have to get involved in a fight. The point is to create such a deterrent that ensures we are not attacked. This is the whole point because none of us want war.’
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