Express readers have reached a strong verdict on whether the UK could withstand an attack from Russia. Recent remarks by Vladimir Putin and Russia’s increased defence spending planned for 2024 have raised concerns among officials about the escalating threat posed by the Kremlin.
In a recent interview with VRT News, Belgium’s Chief of Defence Michel Hofman said Putin’s “ambiguous” language justifies becoming more vigilant.
He said: “I think we are right to be concerned. The language used by the Kremlin and by President Vladimir Putin is always ambiguous.”
Without mincing his words, Admiral Hofman didn’t rule out that more nations in eastern Europe may face Russian tanks crossing their borders.
He said: “It is possible that they might open a second front at some point in the future, in Moldova, or in the Baltic states.” Given Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are NATO members, should Russia attack any of them they could invoke the support of the rest of the military alliance and, effectively, drag the Western world into a conflict.
A similar warning was issued by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who in September told CBS’ 60 Minutes his troops are fending off the threat of World War III.
He said: “If Ukraine falls, what will happen in ten years? Just think about it. If [the Russians] reach Poland, what’s next? A Third World War? We’re defending the values of the whole world.”
After noting his men and women are “paying the highest price”, Mr Zelensky added: “We are fighting for real with a nuclear state that threatens to destroy the world.”
Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union, the UK and the US stepped up to support Kyiv with both humanitarian and military aid needed to face the invaders.
Alongside this, London has also been issuing sanctions against Russia and some of its oligarchs and helping bring Ukrainian troops to combat readiness through UK-based training.
The military aid received from NATO countries by Ukraine and talks to allow the nation to eventually access both the European Union and the Western military alliance have propelled incendiary speeches by Putin and his mouthpieces, who have regularly threatened to unleash nuclear war against the West.
However, amid the geopolitical crisis created by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the British Government has continued this year to press on with cuts to its Armed Forces which would leave the Army in 2025 with a total capacity of 100,000 troops – including reservists.
This move was slammed as “nuts” by former Defence Minister Lord Robathan during a speech in the House of Lords. He told Defence Minister Baroness Goldie: “One of the problems with serving in the Armed Forces at the moment is a perception that they are part of a declining industry – and this is not a new thing.
“We are actually declining the Armed Forces at the moment by shrinking them – now this is completely nuts.”
During the debate, Lady Goldie disagreed with him, stressing there is no decline within the Army. She added: “The example the UK has set globally in respect of our support for Ukraine has been universally admired and that is depending not just on military donations, but it is depending also on the Nato support which we’re able to provide.”
In light of the current scenario, Express.co.uk asked its readers whether they think the UK and Europe would be strong enough to defend themselves against Russia.
The poll, carried out between 11am on December 22 and December 23, saw a total of 1,422 respondents. The majority of voters, 720, believe the Western world can defend itself against Putin’s nation, while 633 replied no. The remaining voters, 69, replied “don’t know”.
