US General: Russia only respects strength, so NATO needs solidarity

The best way for NATO to reduce the risk of a "Russian invasion" of Europe is to constantly demonstrate its strength to Moscow, - Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, commander of US Army forces in Europe, said on CNN.

A NATO military exercise in Lithuania (Photo: Sputnik)

The Kremlin has yet to agree on the details of a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The presidents will meet for the first time next week at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany.

The commander of US Army forces in Europe believes that there is only one thing Russia respects. Of course, that is strength.

Responding to a reporter's question about the possibility of a Russian invasion, General Ben Hodges, commander of US Army forces in Europe, said that "the best way to minimize the probability of this event is to demonstrate the strength of our great alliance, the most successful alliance in the history of the world, and stand shoulder to shoulder."

"NATO now has 29 countries. And I think we are strong because of NATO's unity and America's commitment to defend Europe. We will continue to do everything to make the probability of a Russian attack negligible" - Mr. Ben Hodges said.

"However, if we look back at Russian history over the past three or four centuries, it becomes clear that they only respect strength. If we ourselves become weak and the alliance is not a bloc, or if they perceive that we are not resolute, then I think the probability of aggression will certainly increase."

According to Sputnik