Germany, Poland and the Netherlands signed an agreement aimed at facilitating cross-border movement of troops and weapons as fears of NATO clashing with Russia within just years continue to grow.
This deal envisions a scenario in which the Western military alliance needs to quickly move its troops from the North Sea ports to NATO’s eastern flank, currently seen as the most vulnerable to an attack from Russia.
The agreement between these countries gets rid of just one of the many red tapes, differing regulations and issues NATO troops would face should they need to fight a war in Europe.
Among the regulations still in place are the advance notice required in order to ship ammunition and the permissible length of military convoys.
This comes as NATO is currently conducting its largest military drill since the end of the Cold War.
The operation called Steadfast Defender began last week and involves approximately 90,000 troops from all 31 NATO allies.
General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said to mark the beginning of the drill, which is set to last until the end of May: “Steadfast Defender 2024 will be a clear demonstration of our unity, strength, and determination to protect each other, our values and the rules-based international order.”
Since the beginning of the year, several European nations have voiced their concerns over a possible escalation of tensions with Russia.
Last week, the head of the UK Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, sent shockwaves through the country by arguing Britain should lay the foundations for a voluntary call-up if a war broke out and train a “citizen army” ready to fight a potential war on land.
General Sir Richard Shirreff, who was a NATO chief between 2011 and 2014, went one step further, as he wrote in a letter to The Times that it is now the time to “think the unthinkable” and look at conscription.
He added: “To most professional soldiers (myself included), conscription is anathema. However, if deterrence is to be effective, Russia deterred and catastrophe averted, it might be necessary.”
