UK Defence Minister Urges Britain and NATO to Prepare for Possible War With Russia
British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warned that Vladimir Putin is testing NATO's resolve and called on Britain and the alliance to prepare for a possible war with Russia. He said NATO is ready to defend every inch of its territory and support Ukraine, while stressing that the alliance does not seek war with Russia or have disputes with the Russian people.
Key points
- UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warned that Vladimir Putin is testing NATO's resolve.
- Streeting urged Britain and NATO to prepare for a possible war with Russia.
- He said NATO is ready to defend every inch of its territory.
- He said NATO is ready to provide support to Ukraine.
- The UK launched the Be Ready campaign to prepare for climate impacts, technological dependency and threats from hostile states.
- Be Ready recommends keeping up to nine litres of bottled water and three days of food.
- Streeting previously warned about state terrorism targeting civilian infrastructure.
Why it matters
Streeting's warning points to the possibility of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia and links preparations across the alliance to deterrence. It also highlights British concerns about state terrorism, attacks on civilian infrastructure and society's readiness for emergencies.
What happened
During an appearance in Warsaw alongside Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamieś, Streeting called on Britain and NATO to prepare for a scenario in which the alliance faces war with Russia. He warned that Putin is testing NATO's resolve, said the alliance is prepared to defend its territory and support Ukraine, and argued that stronger readiness makes war less likely. Separately, the UK launched the Be Ready campaign, which recommends that every British resident keep up to nine litres of bottled water and three days of food.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage emphasises NATO's readiness to defend every inch of its territory and support Ukraine. It also places Streeting's warnings about state terrorism and threats to civilian infrastructure within a broader British effort to strengthen national preparedness.
How international sources describe it
International coverage focuses on the warning that Britain and NATO must prepare for a possible war with Russia. It also highlights Streeting's position that neither Britain nor NATO seeks conflict or disputes with the Russian people, and that stronger deterrence lowers the risk of war.
Background
The Be Ready campaign was launched to help Britain prepare for climate impacts, technological dependency and threats from hostile states. Its government recommendations advise every British resident to keep up to nine litres of bottled water and three days of food. Streeting made his remarks in Warsaw alongside Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamieś.