NATO's top commander lays out a plan to block a Russian attack on Europe

A deterrence-first plan

Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's top military commander, outlined the alliance's new military plan on Monday, 12 October, aiming to steady an anxious Europe and thwart a potential Russian attack. Media had reported on the contents of the speech for several days beforehand. Grynkewich presented what he called a theory of victory, which sets out how operations would be conducted if the alliance found itself in a conflict. He told the audience that it is not a plan in the military sense, and that his theory of victory is simple: block an attack before it happens.

Response to the Baltic states

In an interview with TVP World on the eve of the Warsaw Security Forum, Grynkewich said the concept rests above all on deterring an enemy from attacking at all. He stressed that NATO is a defensive alliance, has no intention of escalating the situation and sees no need to do so. If the Baltic states were attacked, NATO is ready to respond very quickly, but the alliance would prefer to prevent such an attack from the start. He said the aim is to hold potential adversaries in check before they consider acting against the alliance.

Preparing for the possible

In the Warsaw speech, Grynkewich said NATO must prepare for what is possible rather than for what is likely, and must raise the cost of any attack on Europe. He added that the alliance is ready and will be even more ready tomorrow and in the following days.