NATO is at its ‘closest to global armed conflict’ since 1949

A military expert has warned that NATO is at it’s “closest to global armed conflict” since 1949 when the alliance was formed.

For many months Vladimir Putin has been violating Poland, Estonia and Romanian airspace with drone and fighter jet incursions.

Last Friday three Russian MIG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte said there was “no need” to shoot down the warplanes at that time, he added that this does not mean the alliance will “not shoot down an aircraft immediately.” He insisted the situation will be assed first.

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NATO’s Secretary General warned, “If necessary, we will do what is required” to protect the alliance.

European defence and security expert Professor Anthony Glees told the Mirror, “You ask ‘is NATO at the closest point to global conflict since its inception?’ and I believe the answer is ‘yes, yes, and yes again’, We in NATO have never been closer to real and major war with odious Russia than right now.

“Putin believes the European Nato powers huff and puff but will always back down because his bestest friend in the West, Trump will not send the US cavalry to protect us when his push comes to an armed shove, as it may do now, any day of the week.

“However, in my view, Putin may be making a major and terminal miscalculation. Because things have changed, fairly dramatically.”

Professor Glees believes NATO should have shot down the three Russian fighter interceptors after Friday’s incursions, “no ‘if’s’, no ‘buts'”.

“Violation of NATO airspace by offensive jets should always be result in Putin’s planes being taken down immediately”, he added.

Any humming or hahing will be taken by Putin as a clear indication he can claim control over the skies of eastern Europe at will, a vital first step for him in any military assault on the Baltic Republics, on Poland and on Romania.