15 Jan, 2024 09:49

Germany preparing for potential Russia-NATO war – Bild

Moscow has mocked the scenario predicting an attack on the bloc in 2025 as a "zodiac forecast"

Germany is preparing for a scenario in which Russia launches an “open attack” on NATO in the summer of 2025 after scoring major victories against Ukraine, Bild reported on Sunday, citing classified documents. Moscow has repeatedly denied having any plans to attack the US-led military bloc.

The secret German defense ministry paper reportedly seen by the outlet provides a month-by-month outline of a possible “path to the conflict” between the West and Russia. The scenario begins a new mobilization in February 2024 with Russia calling up an additional 200,000 troops. Moscow has insisted it does not need to pursue such a measure, citing an abundance of volunteers.

According to the scenario outlined in the document, Moscow then launches a powerful spring offensive against Ukraine resulting in Kiev,suffering from inadequate Western support, yielding ground.

The report then describes Russia launching an “initially covert and later increasingly open attack” on the Baltic states in July, waging cyberwarfare and inciting riots among the local Russian-speaking population.

The crisis precipitates a Russian military build-up in western Russia, Belarus, and Kaliningrad. At the same time, Moscow positions itself to seize the Suwalki Gap, according to the paper – a narrow strip of land in northeast Poland between Belarus and Kaliningrad, resulting in “riots with numerous deaths,” with Russia accusing NATO of preparing to attack the country.

Poland and the Baltic states report an “increasing threat from Russia” to a NATO Council meeting in January 2025. Moscow, however, uses the development as a pretext to move additional troops to the border areas in March 2025.

Amid the rising tensions depicted, Germany contributes 30,000 troops to the alliance’s build-up efforts. According to the strategic forecast, NATO decides on “measures for credible deterrence” in May 2025. The scenario ends at this point, with Bild noting that it is an “open question” whether Russia chooses to stand down under these circumstances.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova scoffed at the report, calling it “last year’s powerful zodiac forecast.” Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied any plans to attack NATO, arguing thatMoscow has “no geopolitical, economic… or military interest” in waging war against the bloc.

Russia, however, has for decades voiced concerns about the alliance’s expansion towards its borders, viewing it as an existential threat. Putin earlier cited Ukraine’s desire to join the bloc as one of the key reasons for the current conflict.

https://www.rt.com/news/590662-germany-war-russia-scenario/

Russia, Russia, Russia will never end. What a stupid report Germany puts out. More propaganda

15 Jan, 2024 09:56

Ukraine denies deadlock at Davos ‘peace formula’ talks

President Zelensky’s chief-of-staff dodged a question about the lack of a joint statement after the gathering in Switzerland

Ukraine has claimed that a meeting on its so-called ‘peace formula’ on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Sunday was successful, despite the fact that no joint communique was released after the gathering.

The national security and policy advisers gathered at the Swiss resort were expected to push forward a ten-point plan formulated by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for the conflict with Russia. The Ukrainian delegation claimed that Sunday’s discussion was “crucial for all humankind” at a press conference later the same day. No Russian delegation was invited to the event.

Andrey Yermak, the head of the presidential office and senior Ukrainian negotiator, acknowledged that there had been a difference of positions among participants, but downplayed it as insignificant and even “good” for his nation’s cause. Zelensky wants the international community to resolve the conflict through a transparent process rather than talks held behind closed doors, he claimed.

When pressured by the Swiss media why the purported consensus was not reflected in a joint statement,the senior official said Ukraine continues to resist calls for immediate peace talks with Russia.

“Somebody thinks that it’s necessary immediately sitting [at] the table of negotiations. And we very clear, very openly explain why now it is not acceptable,” he told the audience in English.

He reiterated Kiev’s wish to continue fighting until all its objectives are achieved, stressing: “Ukraine need not frozen conflict. Ukraine need just peace [sic].”

Ukraine’s ‘peace formula’ demands that it regain control of all its pre-2014 territory. It also calls for war reparations and the prosecution of the Russian leadership, among other issues. Moscow dismissed the proposal as detached from reality immediately after Zelensky unveiled it in November 2022.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov branded the formula a “baby comforter” and “a figment of a sick imagination”in an interview last month, arguing that talks on the Ukrainian plan were nothing but a publicity stunt.

Speaking to the media after the meeting in Davos, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis insisted that “one way or another, Russia will have to be included” in the final resolution of the Ukraine crisis.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the meeting inDavos “talking for the sake of talking,” arguing that it could not produce results “for the obvious reason” that Russia was not included.

https://www.rt.com/russia/590663-ukraine-peace-formula-davos/

15 Jan, 2024 05:19

Trump a ‘threat’ to UK – ex-MI6 chief

The return of the 45th US president could be disastrous for NATO, Richard Dearlove has claimed

Former US President Donald Trump’s potential reelection could be “problematic” for British national security due to his stance on NATO, former head of the MI6 intelligence service has warned.

Richard Dearlove, who led MI6 from 1999 to 2004, was discussing potential threats to the UK in 2024 in an interview with Sky News on Sunday, during which he pointed to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the “long-term behavior of China,” before moving to the US presidential race.

“You have to add a political threat, which I am worried about, which is Trump’s reelection… which I think for the UK’s national security is problematic,” Dearlove said. If Trump, given his critical attitude towards NATO, “acts hastily and damages the Atlantic alliance, that is a big deal for the UK,” he warned.

“We’ve put all our eggs in defense terms in the NATO basket. If Trump really is serious about, as it were, changing the balance,I mean the American nuclear umbrella for Europe is, in my view, essential to Europe’s security and defense,” the former spymaster said.(why are we responsible for their protection?)

During his time in the White House, Trump disparaged NATO, calling it “obsolete,” and questioned the bloc’s relevance in the modern world. He also cast doubt on Washington’s commitment to defend its allies and argued that other NATO members were not contributing enough.

“Look, NATO has taken advantage of our country. The European countries took advantage,” the former president recently told Fox News, adding that his attitude towards NATO depends on whether “they treat us properly.”

Despite several court cases against him, Trump remains the frontrunner for the Republican Party nomination as presidential candidate. A recent Morning Consult poll indicates that he is leading with 69% support, while the nearest rival is trailing far behind.

(Be prepared for election interference from UK Mi6 & EU.)

https://www.rt.com/news/590649-trump-political-threat-to-uk/