NATO vows unwavering Ukraine support as war reaches stalemate, senior admiral says

NATO vows unwavering Ukraine support as war reaches stalemate, senior admiral says

NATO will maintain its backing for Ukraine until a lasting peace agreement is reached, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of the alliance's military committee, told the BBC in an interview published Monday. The senior official described the conflict as strategically failed for Russia while acknowledging a tactical stalemate on the battlefield.

War seen as 'waste of lives' amid battlefield deadlock

Admiral Dragone, who has led NATO's military committee since January, characterized the war as "bogged down," suggesting the time may be nearing for negotiations. "It is almost time to sit and talk because it's a waste of lives," he stated, while emphasizing that NATO's support for Kyiv would persist until a durable peace is secured.

Despite Russia's incremental territorial gains, Dragone dismissed the notion of a Russian victory, asserting that President Vladimir Putin would "not succeed" in installing a puppet regime akin to Belarus. "They will not get a friendly or puppet government," he declared.

Putin's invasion backfires as NATO expands

The admiral highlighted Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion as a strategic miscalculation, citing Finland's and Sweden's subsequent accession to NATO as proof of the alliance's strengthened cohesion. "Putin will not succeed," he reiterated, underscoring the alliance's expanded membership-now totaling 32 nations-as a direct consequence of Moscow's aggression.

Europe 'awakened' to defense responsibilities

Dragone expressed confidence in Europe's long-term commitment to Ukraine, noting a shift in mindset among member states. "They've had a wake-up call and are now taking charge of their own defense," he said, pointing to NATO's June agreement to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035-a target urged by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The admiral dismissed concerns over waning support from some members, such as Slovakia and Hungary, stating, "The alliance is reliable, it is mature." He described cohesion as NATO's "center of gravity."

Nuclear threats downplayed as NATO prioritizes air defense

Addressing Russia's recent announcements about long-range nuclear weapons like the Burevestnik cruise missile and Poseidon underwater drone, Dragone minimized the threat. "We are not threatened by them," he said, reiterating NATO's status as a "defensive nuclear alliance" tasked with protecting its one billion citizens across 32 nations.

The admiral identified air defense as NATO's most urgent priority, citing repeated Russian drone incursions into Poland and Romania. He revealed plans for a "drone wall" along the eastern flank, with implementation expected "within months." The initiative, dubbed Eastern Sentry, will integrate existing air defense systems under NATO's Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia.

"Airspace incursions are pretty frequent. We escort them out, and that's basically the game," Dragone said, downplaying the immediate risk while stressing preparedness.

Baltic states seen as potential flashpoint

When pressed on potential future Russian targets, Dragone singled out the Baltic states-Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania-as the most vulnerable. However, he emphasized that any attack would trigger NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause, ensuring a unified response. "Yes, [the U.S.] has committed to this," he affirmed, dismissing doubts about Washington's resolve.

Alliance 'stronger than our adversaries'

Despite no signs of a Russian policy shift in Ukraine, Dragone struck an optimistic tone, declaring, "The alliance is stronger than our adversaries." He reaffirmed NATO's pledge to stand by Ukraine "up to the day that peace will break out," while acknowledging the human cost of prolonged conflict.

"The alliance is reliable," he concluded. "There is a cohesion which is our center of gravity."