In an interview, the head of NATO’s JSEC logistics command criticized the slow mobilization of troops in individual alliance states and spoke in favor of a “military Schengen area.” This should make it easier for soldiers and equipment to be moved.
In an interview with Reuters news agency, German Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank pointed to “too many obstacles” that would hinder troop movements in the event of a conflict with Russia. Sollfrank and his command, which was established in Ulm, Germany in 2021, are responsible for the rapid coordination of troops and equipment. And it is precisely in this area that the German still sees much potential for improvement – including by reducing bureaucracy.
NATO must be prepared for war
The background to the considerations is the assessment that, after decades of detente after the Cold War, NATO should again be prepared for a war in Europe that could break out at any time.
Since the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, NATO has expanded about a thousand kilometers eastward, including former Warsaw Pact countries such as Poland and the Baltic states. This means that the length of the alliance’s eastern flank has increased many times over to a total of approximately 4,000 kilometers. Now there is also a war raging in a neighboring country that is massively supported by NATO. Moreover, it is expected that this country, Ukraine, will join the military alliance at some point.
Moscow: “NATO is coming towards us”
The government in Moscow warns against the implementation of the “Schengen” idea. The statements showed that Europe was unwilling to listen to Russia’s legitimate concerns and was willing to strengthen its own security at Russia’s expense, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “It is NATO that is constantly moving its military infrastructure to our border. We are not heading towards NATO infrastructure. NATO is coming to us. And this can only cause concern and lead to retaliatory measures to ensure our own safety,” Peskov continued.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
