«Simple and Cruel»: Former NATO Secretary General Urges Britons to Prepare for War 0 20

Former NATO Secretary General and UK Defence Minister Lord George Robertson warned that Britons should "move away from a peaceful mindset" and prepare for a scenario of major conflict - even at household levels, The Times reports.

During a speech at the book festival in Wigtown, the 78-year-old politician stated that households across the country should stock up on candles, flashlights, water, and battery-operated radios to be ready in case of war or large-scale power outages.

"We are not prepared enough, not insured enough, we are under attack and not safe. It is so simple and cruel," Robertson said.

Lord Robertson, who led NATO from 1999 to 2003, emphasized that Britain must learn to act flexibly and take responsibility for its own security.

"Perhaps we should follow Norway's example, where citizens receive annual instructions on how to act in the event of an attack."

Threats from Russia, China, and North Korea

Robertson expressed concern about the alliance between Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong-un, calling it "a combination to be feared."

"It does not seem that any of these leaders will change anytime soon. I have met with Putin nine times - and I can say: he cannot be trusted," he said.

The former NATO Secretary General emphasized that the UK is already facing daily cyberattacks and information manipulation:

"Is it a coincidence that Jaguar Land Rover, Waitrose, and Harrods were attacked simultaneously? We are already under fire - it’s just that it’s not explosions, but cyberattacks."

Robertson also compared Britain's defense capabilities to Israel, noting that the country does not have a system like the "Iron Dome" and called for a major rethinking of security approaches.

Lord Robertson warned that the government should not wait for society to feel the crisis on its own.