Скачать или смотреть Ex-NATO Chief: BE PREPARED FOR WAR | Putin attack this decade? | Trump plan a ‘Russian wishlist’

In this interview, former Danish Prime Minister and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen argues that Europe is currently ill-prepared for the significant and growing threat posed by Vladimir Putin, who he believes is ready for war with Europe.

He argues that relying solely on Ukraine's defense is insufficient and that the shortest path to peace is to be prepared for war, urging European nations to fully mobilise their resources for a potential counter-attack.

Rasmussen criticises the current European approach as being "a bit split," saying that its collective economy, though vastly superior to Russia's (which he notes is only equivalent to Italy's), is not yet fully leveraged.

The former NATO Secretary General says he is in favour of conscription across Europe to build its military capability.

Rasmussen argues the case for using seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine's urgent financial needs, arguing that Russia must be the one to pay for the country's reconstruction.

He dismisses the idea of an imminent negotiated settlement explicitly calling out Donald Trump’s famous "28-point plan," as nothing more than a "Russian wish list" for Ukrainian capitulation.

On the topic of political stability in Ukraine, Rasmussen acknowledges that corruption has weakened Kyiv's leadership but maintains the government is stable due to the Ukrainian people's strong resolve against Putin’s aggression.

Finally, he discusses the role of the US, saying the Trump Presidency in Europe must learn to stand on its own feet even if he believes the principle in NATO's Article 5 should not be doubted. He warns that intelligence agencies suggest a Russian attack on a European country is possible by the end of the decade, concluding, "If you want peace, be prepared for war."

Key Moments and Topics Discussed:
00:00 - Is Putin ready for war with Europe?
00:30 - Is Europe ready for war with Russia?
01:29 - Rasmussen's view on conscription across Europe.
02:04 - Viability of relying on Ukraine's defense.
02:20 - Proposals to use seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine.
03:36 - Criticising the "28-point plan" as a Russian wish list.
04:00 - The only strategy: defeating Putin.
05:08 - Stability of President Zelensky's government amidst corruption investigations.
07:03 - NATO Article 5 credibility and the response to an attack.
07:48 - Can Europe defend itself without the US?
08:57 - The probability of a wider European conflict by the end of the decade.

Peston is ITV’s flagship political programme, bringing you analysis, debates, and interview exclusives on the latest in current affairs.

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