Belgian army chief cautions that Russia’s bellicose language and switch to a war footing suggest the possibility of new fronts opening against Moldova or the Baltic states. He urges Europe to urgently bolster military readiness.
From: Euromaiden Press BY YURI ZORIA
Europe requires urgent improvements to military readiness in the face of lingering threats from Russia’s war footing, Belgium’s top admiral said on 19 December.
In his interview with VRT News, the Belgian Army’s Chief of Staff Adm. Michel Hofman Michel Hofman said Moscow’s continued aggressive rhetoric and its economy’s recent switch to a war footing suggest the possibility fresh Russian aggression could open new fronts outside Ukraine:
“We see that Russia has switched to a war economy. I think we would be right to be worried. The language used by the Kremlin and by President Vladimir Putin is always ambiguous. It is by no means out of the question that they might open a second front at some time in the future. Either in the south, in Moldova or the Baltic States”, Admiral Hofman said.
Moldova, bordering Ukraine, faces Russian occupation in its Transnistrian region. Fearing further aggression, it seeks closer ties with the EU and NATO. The Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are NATO member countries, which is supposed to shield them, as an attack on one triggers collective defense.
Voice of Ukraine 