NATO’s top military commander said Monday in Warsaw that the alliance would respond with force if attacked, saying its aim would be to stop an assault and prevent an enemy advance.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich told the Warsaw Security Forum that NATO would use sensors, autonomous systems and military forces. He said that if an attacker continued or committed reserves, NATO would “break the warfighting system engaged against us,” including support and control for attacking forces. He did not name Russia in the remarks, though the forum panel concerned deterrence and defense against Russia.
Grynkewich said NATO is a defensive alliance and that he did not consider conflict imminent or inevitable. The comments came as European officials voiced concern about possible Russian attacks and reported covert activity in Europe, according to the reports.