NATO Vows to "Break" Attacking Forces and "Anything and Everything" Supporting Them

NATO's top military commander warned that the alliance would destroy "anything and everything" supporting an attack on allied territory and "break" enemy warfighting systems to thwart any potential Russian assault. U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe, outlined a three-pronged strategy of "blocking, blunting and breaking" enemy forces at the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland.

"Should the adversary choose to press the attack or commit his reserves, we will break the warfighting system engaged against us," Grynkewich said. "This includes not just the attacking force itself, but anything and everything that supports, sustains, and controls that force." He emphasized that while NATO is a defensive alliance, it is prepared to respond decisively to an assault on any of its 32 members.

"If someone is foolish enough to attack us, we will fight," he stated. "We will stop the attack and deny them the ability to achieve their objectives, whatever those might be. We will, in short, ensure any attack, against any ally, proves utterly futile."

The warning comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Western nations, fueled by a series of drone incursions and suspected sabotage operations that European countries attribute to Moscow. Grynkewich's remarks followed a tense period that included multiple Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace during attacks on Ukraine, prompting responses from Polish and allied aircraft. NATO launched Operation Eastern Sentry to bolster defenses along its eastern flank.

Romania has also reported Russian drone incursions, and Estonia has accused Russian military aircraft of violating its airspace. These events have occurred against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, with Moscow launching renewed strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure. NATO's 2022 Strategic Concept identifies Russia as the most significant and direct threat to allied security.

Grynkewich stated that NATO is implementing its strategy through military exercises, enhanced readiness, and investments in new capabilities. He assured citizens of the alliance that NATO is prepared to respond immediately if attacked.

Russia has issued nuclear warnings in response to perceived threats. On September 30, Moscow warned NATO that it could use nuclear weapons if the alliance attempted to isolate Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave situated between Poland and Lithuania. A diplomatic note from Moscow accused NATO of pursuing a "dangerous and reckless course" that carried "high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict." The note suggested Russia could use its full military arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend Kaliningrad and potentially strike decision-making centers in NATO countries at the outset of a conflict.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte rejected these threats, reiterating the alliance's defensive mission and urging Moscow to end its war in Ukraine. "Putin knows that he can never win from NATO," Rutte said. He added that Putin has maintained Russia has no plans to attack European countries and desires peaceful coexistence with its neighbors.

In the context of these tensions, former President Donald Trump has pressed European allies to increase defense spending, questioning whether countries failing to meet their obligations would receive U.S. protection. Grynkewich downplayed concerns about Washington's commitment, referencing Trump's positive remarks about NATO during the 2025 NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands.

Grynkewich indicated a willingness to openly discuss suspected hybrid attacks if individual NATO governments requested it. "If a nation wants me to, I'm happy to talk about it," he said. The Warsaw Security Forum convened European political and defense leaders to address the ongoing war in Ukraine and the escalating threat along NATO's eastern flank.