NATO's two‑week wait: Gen. Hodges warns of defence delays

In the interview, Gen. Ben Hodges also admonished some Western leaders reluctant to take action due to the risk of "escalation." "It is a matter of regular strong forces, a Lithuanian division, a military reserve, and public involvement in defence plans to make it too costly for the bear to even try to swallow the hedgehog," he emphasised.

"Once Russia attacks a NATO country, it could be two weeks until reinforcement arrives in Lithuania, so that means if you think about total defence, are Lithuanians prepared for maybe the worst case, two weeks without additional forces arriving. You have to be prepared I would say at least two weeks before additional resources and reinforcement arrive," said the former commander of the US Army in Europe, retired General Ben Hodges, in an interview with Romanian television.

"Besides, the reinforcement will certainly come, but you have to be ready, you have to have the muscle and the strength to resist on your own," he added.

At the same time, the American general noted that "given that we are dealing with an enemy that can fight an exhausting long-term war, you cannot leave everything to the regular forces, you have to involve the public as well. Besides, the reinforcement will certainly come, but you have to be ready, you have to have the muscle and the strength to resist on your own."

According to the OBOZ.UA portal, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Joane said that "currently, Russia has neither the intention nor the capability to attack any NATO country." However, Moscow is conducting a hybrid war with the West.

At the same time, NATO Military Committee Chair Rob Bauer warned that civilians in the West should prepare for a potential conflict with Russia. He noted that the armed forces are already prepared in case of war.