Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the chair of NATO’s military committee, has affirmed the alliance’s steadfast support for Ukraine, stating that NATO will stand with the country until a long-lasting peace is achieved. He described the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war as bogged down and suggested it is nearly time for diplomatic talks to prevent further loss of life.
In an interview with the BBC, Admiral Dragone emphasized that from an operational perspective, the conflict has reached a stalemate, with neither side making significant advances. He pointed out that the war has resulted in a strategic failure for Russian President Vladimir Putin, as it prompted Finland and Sweden to join NATO, strengthening the alliance rather than weakening it. Despite recent slow, incremental gains by Russian forces, Dragone asserted that Putin will not succeed in installing a puppet government in Ukraine.
He expressed confidence that European nations are prepared to continue supporting Ukraine’s defence, having received a wake-up call that has led them to take greater charge of their own security. In June, NATO members agreed to raise their defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, a move influenced by repeated urges from US President Donald Trump. This commitment reflects a renewed focus on collective defence and readiness within the alliance.
Addressing Russia’s recent announcements about long-range, nuclear-powered weapons like the Burevestnik and Poseidon, Dragone downplayed concerns, noting that NATO is a defensive nuclear alliance. He stated that the alliance is not threatened by these developments but is prepared to defend its 32 member nations and one billion people. This reassurance comes amid heightened global tensions over nuclear capabilities.
On the risk of future invasions or attacks, Dragone identified the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—as potential targets, but reassured that any aggression would trigger Article 5, which considers an attack on one NATO member as an attack on all. He confirmed that the United States remains committed to this principle and would participate in any collective defence response, underscoring the alliance’s unity.
Currently, air defence is NATO’s top priority, following recent incursions by Russian drones into Poland and Romania. Dragone revealed that the alliance is working on activating a ‘drone wall’ on its eastern borders within months, integrating existing air defence systems through the Eastern Sentry initiative to counter frequent airspace violations. He described these incursions as routine, with NATO forces escorting intruders out of allied airspace.
Despite no signs of Russia changing its course in Ukraine and some member states like Slovakia and Hungary showing opposition to continued support, Dragone ended on a positive note. He highlighted the alliance’s reliability, maturity, and cohesion, asserting that NATO is stronger than its adversaries and will remain with Ukraine until peace is achieved. This statement reinforces the enduring commitment to European security and stability.