Putin Will Not Stop Provocations Until He Receives Real Response German Expert

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) German political scientist and security expert Peter Neumann, professor at King's College London, said this in a comment to Ukrinform.

Neumann disagreed with those who consider NATO's response to recent provocations against Poland, Romania, Estonia, Denmark, and others a success.

"If you count a joint declaration to be a success, then that's a success. But I don't think that Vladimir Putin is very threatened by European declarations. So it has to be an actual reaction, a substantive reaction. [...] Otherwise, if it's just a declaration, it is, I think, even encouraging Russia, to try even harder," Neumann said.

He added that, in his opinion, the "ultimate reaction" could involve shooting down an aerial target that violated borders, including an aircraft. At least there has to be a threat that this is going to happen because, otherwise, it is not going to deter Russia, Neumann said.

He added that Europeans must eventually understand that Russia is testing their reaction. If Russia does not receive a strong reaction, "it will go further and further and further," not limiting itself to Ukraine but targeting other European countries as well.

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Neumann acknowledged that a significant fear of escalation still exists in some European countries. However, he argued that if provocations continue and lead to serious consequences - such as a real blackout, or, for example, an aircraft accident over Europe caused by Russia - a response will follow.

"Unfortunately, until then, I don't think there's going to be a strong reaction, which is very bad," he added.

Since September 10, airspace violations by both drones and aircraft have been recorded in various eastern and northern European countries. Two NATO members, Poland and Estonia, have initiated consultations under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

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