UK claims chances of direct confrontation with Russia are zero

(MENAFN) The United Kingdom’s Chief of the Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, has warned that while a direct confrontation with Russian forces on UK soil is unlikely, the possibility is not “zero,” according to reports. Moscow quickly dismissed the notion as “nonsense.”

During a lecture at the Royal United Services Institute on Monday, Knighton acknowledged the probability of such a conflict as “remote” but stressed that citizens must be ready to respond if necessary. “More people being ready to fight for their country” is essential, he said, adding that modern security threats require a response that “must go beyond simply strengthening our armed forces” and engage all parts of British society.

Knighton’s comments echoed warnings from French Chief of Defense Fabien Mandon last month, who also stressed that citizens must be prepared to “lose children” in the event of a war with Russia.

The remarks come amid renewed discussion among some European NATO members about deploying a multinational force to Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached. Moscow has strongly opposed any such action, asserting that any NATO country sending troops would be considered a direct participant in the conflict. Russian officials have called such proposals a reckless escalation that could undermine peace efforts and risk drawing the entire NATO bloc into open confrontation.

Russia has repeatedly denied intentions to attack European NATO states, framing claims of aggression as Western warmongering aimed at justifying higher military budgets, and has emphasized that it is defending its citizens while accusing NATO of provoking hostilities.

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