Moscow is becoming an ever-greater threat to Europe: a drone appearing at Leipzig Airport, a Russian missile striking Poland, a drone crashing in Romania, and repeated airspace violations in the Baltic states. According to former U.S. Secretary of Defense and ex-CIA Director Leon Panetta, these are alarming signs that Vladimir Putin is systematically testing Europe's defenses.
In an interview with BILD Panetta even raised the possibility of Russian military action on German soil. According to the former CIA chief, Moscow's primary aim is to test whether the West is truly committed to its mutual-defense obligations. Russia must be sent an unequivocal message that “military action against European states is unacceptable—because we are dealing with a tyrant.”
Panetta sees two reasons for Putin's aggression: the Kremlin leader is under tremendous pressure because of the war in Ukraine, while tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and America's European NATO partners could further push him to seek new fronts as a distraction.
“Putin responds to weakness, and if he senses that weakness in NATO and the United States, he will continue to provoke and strike,” Panetta warned.
He also sharply criticizes Washington over the war in Ukraine, saying that Trump is “sending mixed signals.”
“The United States must now do everything possible to provide Ukraine with weapons, air defense systems, and the support it needs,” Panetta says. But because of weapons shortages, NATO and the United States can currently “only stand by and watch.”
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