Russian attacks would be far worse without NATO’s “proximity” deterrence, argues Rose Gottemoeller

DETERRENCE CLEARLY failed in Ukraine. In the run-up to Russia’s invasion in February 2022, America and its NATO allies took steps to warn Russia of dire consequences, including deep sanctions and political excommunication. None of that mattered to Vladimir Putin.

Some argue that NATO failed to deter Mr Putin because he has nuclear weapons. The Kremlin’s nuclear sabre-rattling feeds this view, bringing nuclear weapons to public consciousness in a way that they have not been for many years.