Vladimir Putin is preparing for a possible larger confrontation with NATO as the Kremlin uses nuclear threats to influence Donald Trump, experts have warned. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted in its daily report on Russia’s “force generation and technological adaptations” that Putin’s Defense Minister Andrei Belousov outlined 10 “priority objectives” on August 29. It indicates Moscow is “committed to its war in Ukraine and may be preparing for a larger confrontation with NATO in the medium term”.
Plans include to increase the use of tactical drones and electronic warfare, with a focus on unmanned systems and other emerging technologies indicating that the Kremlin is “preparing to incorporate its combat lessons and technological innovations from its war in Ukraine into future military confrontations”, specialists wrote. It comes as Russia is is thought to be using nuclear threats to influence Donald Trump to stop his efforts to secure peace in Ukraine.
Deputy Chair of Russia’s Security Council and former President Dmitry Medvedev said on X on September 23: “Russia’s ready to comply with the START Treaty, which I signed in 2010.
“Now the Trump admin must decide.
“But adhering to the letter of the treaty isn’t enough.
“The US must give up on weakening Russia with sanctions and tariffs. Otherwise, the risk of direct conflict remains high.”
The ISW wrote: “Medvedev’s veiled nuclear threats directly tie US agreement to stop all its economic measures targeting Russia—the main tool that the Trump administration is using to try to bring Putin to the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine—to Russia’s continued adherence to New START or readiness to agree to any future arms control treaties.
“Medvedev’s threats are part of wider Kremlin efforts to delay peace negotiations, use threats to secure Russia’s desired demands in Ukraine, secure concessions that benefit Russia, and deter the United States from supporting Ukraine.”
Drone activity was spotted overnight from Wednesday into Thursday near Aalborg Airport in northern Denmark, as well as three smaller airports in the country, police said.
Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said it seems that a “professional actor” was behind a “hybrid attack”.
But he added that there was no evidence to suggest Moscow was behind the incursion.
NATO has said that it will respond to Russian aerial incursions “in the manner, timing and domain of our choosing” after last week’s violation of Estonian airspace.
Three MiG-31 jets entered the state’s territory on September 19.
Earlier in September, Russian drones were shot down over Poland, and another was intercepted in Romanian airspace.
