The former commander of NATO’s Allied Command Operations has issued a stark warning to the UK, saying that Donald Trump’s recent comments on Ukraine have left Britain with “no choice” but to bring back conscription in the UK
A former NATO commander has sounded the alarm, suggesting that Donald Trump’s recent remarks on Ukraine could lead to the reintroduction of conscription in the UK. President Trump has shocked international leaders by suggesting that Ukraine is responsible for the intensifying conflict with Russia.
Adding to the tension, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth announced at a conference in Brussels last week that America’s focus was shifting away from European security. “(I am) here today to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe,” he declared.
These developments have raised the spectre of WW3, with NATO’s former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Sir Richard Shirreff, considering the possibility that the UK might have to resort to drafting citizens into military service. In a grave piece for the Daily Mail, Sir Richard cautioned: “Though many will find it unthinkable, we must be prepared to call up our reservists – and make plans for conscription. Trump has left us no other choice.”
Conscription, which makes it mandatory to serve in the armed forces, was first implemented in the UK in 1916 due to the severe casualties of WW1. The practice was abolished in 1960 and has not been used since.
However, Sir Richard worries it might be necessary “if we are to avert a potential WW3”. He went on to say: “In effect, Hegseth has taken NATO’s essential principle of mutual defence, known as Article 5, and shredded it. Europe’s reaction has been near panic. The first signs of fracturing emerged on Monday, as Germany, Italy and Poland all baulked at the idea of collective action.”
His primary concern is that the US appears ready to abandon a key aspect of NATO policy, Article 5, which essentially stipulates that all members must be prepared to collectively defend any other individual member if they come under attack, reports the Express.
The only time Article 5 has ever been invoked was in 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. By deciding to invoke the article, the US ensured that all NATO allies supported its future response to the attacks.
He further argued that it would be “suicidally naïve” to assume Trump was risking disrupting NATO peace plans to “galvanise Europe into spending more on defence”. Similarly, he suggested it would be naïve to believe “the US cavalry would once again come galloping to our rescue”, should World War 3 erupt.
