Top NATO Military Chief Warns Business Leaders to Prepare for War

A senior NATO official has issued a stark warning at the Berlin Security Conference, declaring that “war is back on the European continent” and urging Western businesses to prepare for wartime scenarios.

Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, addressed the gathering with a sobering message about the escalating geopolitical tensions. He emphasized the critical role of businesses in national security, stating that commercial decisions made by leaders in Europe and America have far-reaching strategic implications.

“Businesses need to be prepared for a wartime scenario and adjust their production and distribution lines accordingly,” Admiral Bauer said. He further noted, “Ladies and gentlemen, war is back in Europe. And over the past years, more and more people in Europe realize that war can happen to them too… again.”

The Admiral’s remarks also referenced earlier warnings about the potential for conscription if NATO were to enter a full-scale conflict with Russia. He highlighted the possibility of a global conflict and stressed the need for governments to develop systems to mobilize civilians effectively.

Lithuanian and German soldiers took part in an international military exercise earlier this year (Picture: AP)

“We need public and private actors to change their mindset,” Bauer urged, explaining the transition from an era of predictability to one where rapid responses to unforeseen crises are essential. He called for an industrial base capable of producing weapons and ammunition quickly to sustain prolonged conflicts if necessary.

Admiral Bauer’s warnings underscored the contrast between Eastern and Western Europe regarding readiness. For instance, Finland, which shares a substantial border with Russia, boasts 50,500 bomb shelters to protect its population—a sharp contrast to the limited number of shelters available in the United Kingdom and other parts of Western Europe.

Adding to the growing concerns, Russia has recently escalated its nuclear threats. Changes in Moscow’s atomic doctrine now permit the use of nuclear weapons in response to conventional attacks, a significant shift from its previous stance of only retaliating to atomic strikes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also signalled a willingness to target nations that supply weapons to Ukraine, declaring that Russia is “entitled to use our weapons” against such countries.

Analysts have interpreted the move as a direct warning to the United States and the United Kingdom, both of which have supported Ukraine with longer-range missiles capable of striking targets within Russia. However, opinions remain divided on whether President Putin will likely act on these threats.

The Admiral’s speech is a stark reminder of the potential for conflict in Europe and the West’s current lack of preparedness for such scenarios. As tensions with Russia continue to rise, the call for greater readiness resonates strongly across military and civilian sectors.