A retired British Army general has issued a stark warning that Europe may have less than two years to prepare for a potential war with Russia.
General Sir Richard Shirreff argues that the withdrawal of US military support under former President Donald Trump and his threats to invade NATO allies could trigger a destabilizing shift in global alliances that have long maintained European peace.
According to Shirreff, the decreasing reliability of the US as an ally makes Europe increasingly vulnerable to a Russian invasion.
He predicts that, within two years, Russian forces could launch an offensive in the Baltic states, with Russian tanks potentially reaching Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, in just four hours.
The British-led Enhanced Forward Battle Group in Estonia would likely offer only brief resistance before being overwhelmed, leading to the UK formally declaring war on Russia, with France, Germany, and Italy following suit.
Shirreff also notes the impact of political polarization in Europe, exacerbated by Russian interference, which he believes has divided NATO and weakened its unity.
He warns that countries like Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia may find themselves unsupported by the US in such a conflict.
The retired general foresees a wider war extending beyond the borders of Eastern Europe, with Russia possibly targeting Western European military bases and infrastructure. In response, European nations would retaliate against Russian energy and army assets, sending reinforcements to the Baltics.
Shirreff’s vision extends to a dramatic shift in Ukrainian leadership, suggesting that former boxer Vitali Klitschko may replace Volodymyr Zelensky as President.
He envisions Klitschko using newly developed nuclear weapons to strike Russia, leading to a collapse of Putin’s regime and a subsequent rise in ultranationalist factions within Russia, possibly fracturing the country.
While Shirreff acknowledges that this scenario may sound far-fetched, he warns that inaction would leave Europe at the mercy of Putin’s aggression. He stresses that Europe’s survival depends on its preparedness.
Due to these warnings, European leaders have already ramped up military spending. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a £13.4 billion increase in annual defence spending by 2027, citing the importance of strength in the face of instability.
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen also pledged significant funds for rearming Europe and Ukraine. At the same time, Poland, France, Belgium, Denmark, and Germany have all committed to substantial defence budget increases.
Despite these efforts, Shirreff cautions that Europe may have already missed the critical window to prepare for the looming threat fully.
