VLADIMIR Putin has his evil eyes set on invading Nato with his invasion of Ukraine only just the beginning, Germany’s spy boss has warned.
Bruno Kahl, the director of Berlin’s Federal Intelligence Service, has shared information pointing to Russia’s plans to challenge the unity of the alliance in the near future.
A similar concerning message was made by Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday.
He warned people in Britain “better learn to speak Russian” if Sir Keir Starmer doesn’t increase defence spending immediately.
Rutte also said in a speech in London that Russia could be in a position to attack Nato by 2030.
Europe is continuing to battle with Russia’s increased aggression against Ukraine.
Many Nato nations have imposed sanctions on the Kremlin to try and draw them towards the negotiating table to help end the war.
This pressure has been mainly applied by Starmer, France‘s Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump.
But Putin is yet to stop his nightly attacks.
Russia directly attacked Kyiv with 315 drones and missiles and demolished large parts of the southern port of Odesa overnight.
It is now believed that Vlad fires over 500 drone strikes every night across Ukraine.
And Bruno Kahl fears this is only the start of Putin’s sick plans to take over Europe.
Kahl told Table Media this week: “We are quite certain, and we have intelligence showing it, that Ukraine is only a step on the journey westward.
“That doesn’t mean we expect tank armies to roll westwards but we see that Nato’s collective defence promise is to be tested.”
Kahl believes twisted Russian officials want to see how the US would react to direct confrontations with fellow Nato members.
These would all fall short of full military engagement but would give the Kremlin an insight into where Donald Trump stands.
As part of the US’s pact within Nato they have a mutual obligation alongside all other members to defend each other when under attack.
This ruling comes under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
Kahl says one way this could be done is through Putin’s “little green men” being shipped off to Estonia.
In the infamous Crimean annexation in 2014, Russia seized numerous buildings and establishments employing troops disguised in unmarked uniforms and civilian attire.
Moscow initially denied the men’s identities which meant they became known as “little green men”.
What is Nato?
THE North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is a political and military alliance of countries from North America and Europe.
It was founded in 1949 to counter the Soviet Union with Cold War tensions rising.
An essential component of the treaty is the concept of collective defense, whereby an assault on one member is construed as an assault on the entirety of the alliance.
Nato takes decisions by consensus but the political and military strength of the United States means that it is by far the most powerful country in the alliance.
Its nuclear arsenal is seen as the ultimate security guarantee.
Nato has 31 members – most of them European nations, plus the United States and Canada.
The newest member is Finland, which joined last April in reaction to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Sweden applied to join along with Finland but is waiting for Hungary to ratify its application as the final major step before membership.
Kahl’s beliefs have been echoed by the International Institute for Strategic Studies who say Putin may deploy his army onto a “war footing” and try to test Nato by evoking Article 5.
This could see Putin commit to an attack on Nato states in the Baltics.
Poland and the neighbouring states have already been rumoured to be next on the despot’s hit list should he ever get through a brave Kyiv.
And worrying satellite images last month revealed how he is assembling Russian hardware, troops and building bases as little as 35 miles from the border with Finland.
Photos show increased military activity at four locations inside Russia – Kamenka, Petrozavodsk, Severomorsk-2 and Olenya.
Any attack could take place within two years of a ceasefire, IISS warns.
Many of these fears stem from if the US and President Trump decide to withdraw support from Nato – leaving Europe to defend itself.
