WSJ: European governments warn citizens about risk of war with Russia

European governments have begun directly warning their citizens about the risk of a potential war with Russia and the need to be prepared, The Wall Street Journal reports. 

The publication notes that such warnings would have been unthinkable just a decade ago, but now they are becoming a regular part of public discourse.

“It is a profound psychological shift for a continent that has rebuilt itself after two world wars by trumpeting a message of harmony and joint economic prosperity,” the article reads.

The change in rhetoric is driven by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and fears that the Kremlin could escalate further. European officials worry that a ceasefire or peace deal imposed under U.S. pressure might not restrain Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin, but instead give Russia time to rebuild its strength and potentially redirect resources from Ukraine toward Europe.

The situation is further complicated by doubts over whether the U.S. would intervene quickly if Europe, where many NATO countries are located, were directly threatened. A more isolationist approach by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has led European capitals to rely more heavily on their own defenses.

Amid these concerns, security and military leaders are issuing increasingly stark assessments. 

Chief of the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), Blaise Metreweli, warned that Russia will continue trying to destabilize Europe “until Putin is forced to change his calculus.”

“We are now operating in a space between peace and war,” Metreweli said.

The head of the U.K.’s armed forces, Richard Knighton, described the current security situation as the most dangerous of his career and emphasized that society must be ready to make serious decisions and sacrifices, including increasing defense spending.

Western officials are also alarmed by the pace of Russia’s military-industrial production. 

According to their assessments, Russia is producing more weapons than it needs for the war in Ukraine, heightening concerns that Moscow may be preparing for a broader confrontation.