The mystery of scaring European people from war with Russia

European leaders are constantly telling voters about Russia’s threat to push them to support a path toward militarization, including increased military spending and the return of conscription, the US newspaper reported Tuesday, citing EU officials.

The Wall Street Journal writes that after a generation of peace, Europe is telling its people to prepare for war; As US President Donald Trump tries to negotiate a Ukraine peace deal, European leaders are sounding the alarm that Russia could target their countries next.

European security officials now regularly broadcast a message that would have been unthinkable almost a decade ago; “Prepare for conflict with Russia.”

This sense of urgency has been heightened by the Trump administration’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal writes. There are fears in European capitals that Trump will push Ukraine into accepting an unbalanced peace deal that would make Putin “emboldened” and Ukraine “vulnerable” to future Russian attacks. The ceasefire, they argue, will free up Russian military resources to focus on Europe, potentially paving the way for a future offensive on its eastern flank.

Retired Dutch admiral Rob Bauer, who recently finished serving as NATO’s top military official, says Europe must prepare for war to stop Russia if it wants to keep the peace.

In recent months, the message has “become stronger,” he says, adding that officials have been alarmed by data showing Russia’s military-industrial complex is producing more than it needs for the war in Ukraine, raising concerns that the organization could regroup to attack Europe sooner than previously anticipated.

According to the report, European officials are secretly saying that voters will only support the necessary sacrifices – from higher military spending to reintroducing conscription – if they believe an attack will happen.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently called on European countries to increase military spending to be ready to “fight the Russians.” He also urged member states to adopt a war mentality, claiming that allies were Russia’s “next target”. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied any Russian plans against NATO or the European Union and said he was ready to put such assurances in writing.

According to this American newspaper, EU security officials are constantly giving harsh speeches and asking their citizens to prepare for war with Russia. However, returning to a war mentality among Europeans is a challenge, as the post-Cold War era has seen a decline in military spending and an increase in social and welfare spending in Europe.

In recent years, Russia has seen unprecedented NATO activity along its western borders. The coalition is expanding its initiatives, which it calls “deterring Russian aggression.” Moscow has repeatedly expressed its concern about the increase in the forces of this coalition in Europe. The Kremlin has noted that Russia poses no threat to anyone, but will not ignore actions that are potentially dangerous to its interests.

In an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin explained in detail that Russia does not intend to attack NATO countries. The Russian president noted that Western politicians regularly scare their people with an imaginary Russian threat to divert attention from domestic problems, but “intelligent people know perfectly well that this is a fake threat.”

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