Senior NATO official explains why Russia is unlikely to attack Alliance for now

Despite Russia remaining a long-term threat, it is unlikely to launch an attack on NATO in the short term, a senior NATO official has told journalists on the sidelines of the summit in Ankara.

The official noted that Russia continues to pose a long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security and has become increasingly reckless.

"And at the political level, Moscow sees itself still in a long-term confrontation for nature, and that being said, we see no indication of Russian intent towards an imminent attack against the alliance in the short-term," the official said.

The NATO representative also outlined the main reasons why Russia is unlikely to attack NATO at present.

"First of all, it simply does not have the capacity due to its campaign in Ukraine. Second, it knows that a NATO response to any reckless aggression would be devastating because we have the capabilities, we have the plans in place, and we cover every territory," the official said.

The official adds that much depends on NATO's response and that the ongoing efforts to strengthen the Alliance are helping deter Russia.

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has said she does not believe Russia is willing to attack any NATO country, although she expects further attempts at destabilisation by Moscow.

The Dutch Ministry of Defence has suggested in a strategic document that if there is a pause in the war against Ukraine, Russia could launch a limited operation against a NATO member state.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski believes Russia could stage a "false flag operation" to justify an attack on a NATO member state.