Russia Has the Potential to Go Beyond Crimea, NATO General Says
Russian forces could advance beyond Crimea but it is uncertain the Kremlin will go through with it. In either case, NATO will protect its members, said General Hans-Lothar Domröse, Commander of Joint Force Command Brunssum, on Monday
In his speech at the International Center for Defense Studies in Tallinn, Domröse said NATO’s military protection extends to allies alone, not partners, ETV reported.
When asked about the possibility of Russian troops going further into Ukraine, he said that the Russian army is capable and President Vladimir Putin has the potential to go further, but it is unclear whether he will.
NATO fighters are in the Baltic states to protect them, just in case a crisis erupts. “Americans are doing this in a perfect way, you can rely on them. You can rely on the whole NATO,” he said, adding that he would strongly advise against invading the Baltic states.
Estonian Defense Forces Commander in Chief Major General Riho Terras said the crisis has raised the question about immediate response when it comes to NATO’s Article 5, which states that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all members.