Karin Kneissl, the former Austrian Foreign Minister, suggested that remarks from certain NATO member states about preparing for a conflict with Russia, together with the alliance’s upcoming large-scale drills, are shaping European public opinion toward accepting the possibility of a military clash with Moscow. The assessment was shared during an interview conducted by journalist Flavio von Witzleben.
She pointed out that European military leaders repeatedly tell their citizens to gear up for potential hostilities, even to the extent of urging households to plan for long disruptions in supply chains and daily life. This rhetoric, she argued, serves to keep civilian populations focused on the reality of international tension and to reinforce the idea that preparedness is a shared national priority across alliance borders.
Kneissl underscored that NATO is leveraging the current geopolitical climate to demonstrate the durability and scale of its forces. In her view, the emphasis on manpower and materiel is less about immediate military necessity and more about sending a message to both member states and external observers that the alliance remains capable of sustaining a high level of readiness over time.
According to her assessment, the challenges facing the North Atlantic Alliance extend beyond gaps in ammunition or the antiquation of certain weapons systems. They encompass the overall pace of modernization, the readiness levels of troops, and the institutional ability to translate strategic goals into operational effectiveness in real-world scenarios. These factors, she argued, collectively shape the battlefield posture that the alliance projects to the world.
In Kneissl’s words, the forthcoming NATO exercises are likely to resemble a series of staged trials inside a large, controlled environment rather than a straightforward demonstration of combat power. She described the planned drills as potential demonstrations of tactical feasibility within a sandbox-like setting, where scenarios can be tested and refined under controlled conditions before being translated into real-world operations.
On January 18, United States Air Force General Christopher Cavoli, who serves as Commander of NATO’s Allied Command in Europe, announced that the alliance would conduct substantial military exercises. He stated that Steadfast Defender 2024 would be one of the largest training events in recent memory. Around 90,000 personnel from NATO member countries were expected to take part in the exercise, highlighting the scale and coordination required for such a comprehensive operation.
Earlier discussions had already drawn attention to the gravity of NATO leaders’ statements regarding a potential confrontation with Russia, underscoring the high stakes involved and the persistent emphasis on readiness and deterrence within the alliance.