Brief

Retired NATO commander says Russia is already at war with alliance

Curtis Scaparrotti warned of a long‑term Russian strategy to undermine NATO during an Atlantic Council event in Washington.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:40:23 GMT

Retired four‑star general Curtis Scaparrotti, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, told an Atlantic Council think‑tank event in Washington, D.C., that Russia is already at war with the alliance. He said Moscow’s “spurious activities” aim to break NATO and that the Kremlin sees no line between peace and war, especially in hybrid actions such as drone and cyber attacks.

What happened

Scaparrotti’s remarks were made on 14 October 2026, amid heightened transatlantic tension after U.S. President Donald Trump struck a diesel‑supply deal with Russia. The former commander warned that the Kremlin’s long‑term plan includes targeting critical facilities and undersea cables, which the UK has identified as vulnerable to sabotage.

What the reports add

The Standard article notes that Scaparrotti’s comments come as Trump’s diesel agreement has drawn criticism for potentially funding Russia’s war in Ukraine. It also links the deal to Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine needs new leadership and to President Vladimir Putin’s alleged preference for a peace deal over Kyiv’s government.

What was said

Scaparrotti said, “When they look at warfare, they don’t have a line between peace and war… those hybrid activities… are all part of their spectrum of war.” The article attributes the quote to Scaparrotti via the Ministry of Defence (Owen Cooban) and PA Media.

How it came about

The comments follow a series of recent NATO warnings, including General Alexus Grynkewich’s statements on 12 October that any Russian attack on allies would be futile and that NATO’s “theory of victory” is designed to deter and defeat aggression. Earlier, on 11 October, Felo reported on Trump’s diesel deal and the concerns it raised about financing Russia’s war effort. Scaparrotti’s warning adds a senior NATO perspective to the growing debate over Russia’s hybrid tactics and the alliance’s defensive posture.

Key facts

Curtis Scaparrotti, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said Russia is already at war with NATO. (standard.co.uk)
He warned that Moscow’s long‑term plan includes hybrid activities such as drone and cyber attacks to break the alliance. (standard.co.uk)
The remarks were made at an Atlantic Council event in Washington, D.C., on 14 October 2026. (standard.co.uk)
Scaparrotti linked the threat to critical facilities and the UK’s undersea cables. (standard.co.uk)
His comments follow recent NATO warnings about Russian aggression and a U.S. diesel‑supply deal with Russia. (standard.co.uk)