The withdrawal of the United States from NATO or a reduction in their military presence in Europe may significantly increase the risk of a Russian attack on the Baltic states, namely Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Nuclear arsenal expert Spencer Warren expressed this opinion in an interview with Forbes, noting that in such a scenario, President Putin might resort to the use of nuclear weapons to capture these countries.
Consequences of Reduced American Support
Warren emphasized that the weakening of American support for European allies could significantly accelerate Moscow's military plans. He believes that in the absence of adequate support from the US, Russia may feel more confident in its aggressive intentions.
European Countries' Ability to Counter Russia
The expert also noted that European countries are capable of resisting Russia in a conventional war. However, the possibility of nuclear escalation remains much less predictable, which raises serious concerns among experts and politicians.