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https://x.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1938212383555453102

Norway's Defense Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik: Putin may attempt to attack NATO countries, even as Russia is weakened by the war in Ukraine

Key points from the interview of @Forsvarsdep with Telegraf:

▪ NATO is much stronger than Putin

"NATO is much, much, much stronger than Putin. He has nuclear capabilities, yes, but he lacks the multi-domain capabilities that NATO possesses, and he doesn’t have the fifth-generation systems the Alliance has. Just recently, you saw in Iran what fifth-generation technology can do.

But he [Putin] will try — using a 'salami tactic.' He will test us through hybrid methods, through cyberattacks, as is already happening now. He will threaten undersea infrastructure.

I believe we must monitor the energy sector very closely, because Putin is an expert in energy. He knows everything about energy markets, especially oil and gas. He will try to manipulate energy systems. I think that’s the final threshold before a direct war or an attempt to test us by challenging NATO’s Article 5 on collective defense. The only way to prevent this is deterrence.

That’s why reaching 5% [of GDP for defense spending] is so important — to strengthen the resilience of our civil societies, to demonstrate military capability, and to make it clear that if he tries to challenge us militarily, we will respond with every means available."

▪ Ukraine is fighting for Europe’s security
>part 1