The West told they must ‘gear itself up’ for ‘worst case scenario’ as Putin could formally declare war against Ukraine

A former NATO chief has warned that the West must “gear itself up” for the “worst case scenario” as there could be conflict with Russia.

On 24 February Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in what he said is a “special operation” to

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The British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has warned that Putin could use Russia’s Victory Day on 9 May to formally declare war against Ukraine to then announce a mass mobilisation of the army’s reserves in Ukraine.

Thus far Putin has insisted on calling the conflict a “special military operation.” The Telegraph was told by a Russian source that the “military are outraged that the blitz on Kyiv has failed.

“People in the army are seeking payback for failures of the past and they want to go further in Ukraine.”

Wallace told LBC Radio last week, “I think he will try to move from his ‘special operation,

“He’s been rolling the pitch, laying the ground for being able to say ‘look, this is now a war against Nazis, and what I need is more people.

“I need more Russian cannon fodder.'”

Ex-Nato chief Richard Sherriff said that Russia was more likely to double down on their approach to Ukraine.

Sherriff told BBC Radio 4, “The worst case is war with Russia. By gearing itself up for the worst case, it is most likely to deter Putin because ultimately Putin respects strength.”