Putin as big a threat to Europe as Islamic State, says Fallon
Defence secretary warns that Russia poses a 'real and present danger' to the Baltic States
Vladimir Putin is as much of a threat to Europe as Islamic State, posing a "real and present danger" to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, the UK's Defence Secretary has warned.
Michael Fallon said that Nato is "getting ready" for any kind of "aggression from Russia whatever form it takes".
The UK will be sending military personnel to eight Nato sites in eastern Europe to reinforce their defences and deter any Russian challenge, he said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Times describes his comments as "some of the toughest language of any senior British minister towards Russia since the crisis over Ukraine erupted a year ago".
It comes as Ukrainian troops yesterday pulled out of the strategic town of Debaltseve after it was stormed by pro-Russian rebels – a "highly significant victory" for the Moscow-armed separatists, reports The Guardian.
Fallon suggested that the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine had all but collapsed and raised concerns that Putin would deploy the techniques used in Ukraine, such as sending in armed men in unmarked military uniforms, to destabilise the Baltic States.
Speaking to journalists on board a flight to Sierra Leone, where British forces are helping to fight Ebola, Fallon said the likelihood of such warfare techniques being deployed in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia was a "very real and present danger".
All three countries are members of Nato, meaning that an attack on one could trigger all Nato members to respond.
Asked whether the West was ready for war with Russia, he said: "Nato has to be ready for any kind of aggression from Russia whatever form it takes. Nato is getting ready."
He added that it was not a new Cold War because it appeared that tensions were "warming up".
Moscow has sharply increased its defence spending, and two weeks ago two Russian bombers were flown down the English Channel, prompting the UK to scramble jets to see them off, Fallon said.
"That just shows you, you need to respond," he added. "Each time he does something like that, you need to be ready to respond."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK Published
-
NATO chief urges Europe to arm against Russia
Speed Read Mark Rutte said Putin wants to 'wipe Ukraine off the map' and might come for other parts of Europe next
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Could Russia's faltering economy end the war?
Today's Big Question Sanctions are taking a toll. So could an end to combat.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Romania's election rerun
The Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Russia's shadow war in Europe
Talking Point Steering clear of open conflict, Moscow is slowly ratcheting up the pressure on Nato rivals to see what it can get away with.
By The Week UK Published
-
Cutting cables: the war being waged under the sea
In the Spotlight Two undersea cables were cut in the Baltic sea, sparking concern for the global network
By The Week UK Published
-
The nuclear threat: is Vladimir Putin bluffing?
Talking Point Kremlin's newest ballistic missile has some worried for Nato nations
By The Week UK Published
-
Russia vows retaliation for Ukrainian missile strikes
Speed Read Ukraine's forces have been using U.S.-supplied, long-range ATCMS missiles to hit Russia
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published