NATO commander says alliance does not want war but is 'ready to fight tonight'

Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus Grynkewich stated at the Warsaw Security Forum that NATO is "ready to fight tonight" if attacked. Grynkewich, who presented a "theory of victory" strategy, said the defensive alliance would thwart, repel, and crush any attacks on its members, ensuring such actions prove "utterly futile."

He noted that NATO would destroy "anything and everything" involved in a Russian attack on alliance territory, including the forces, support systems, and control mechanisms used by an adversary.

While Reuters reported that Grynkewich did not explicitly mention Russia in his speech, Meduza (English) noted his message was clearly directed at the Kremlin. According to Euromaidan Press, Grynkewich argued that NATO should respond to Russian sabotage and hybrid operations—such as cyberattacks and airspace violations—by increasing contributions to the PURL weapons program or sending more air-defense interceptor missiles to Ukraine.

He suggested that once responsibility for an attack is established, countries should publicly name the perpetrator to expose Russian networks.

These remarks come as European officials warn that Russia could test NATO defenses through limited military incursions or covert attacks. PBS NewsHour reported that European nations have recently experienced an increase in covert Russian activity.

Brief written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour, Euromaidan Press, Meduza (English), Winnipeg Free Press, Euronews — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.