- General stressed the importance of US forces in defending NATO's east flank, pointing to their unique capabilities and velocity of action
- Cavoli assessed that Ukraine inactive needs US support, especially in advanced air defense
- The General referred to the function of SACEUR, pointing to possible atomic forces control challenges in the event of changes in NATO command
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“ Russia is simply a chronic threat, and in the future it will be a increasing threat, a state ready to usage military force to accomplish its geopolitical goals, which is presently actively campaigning destabilisation in and outside Europe,” said Cavali during a speech before the legislature Armed Forces Commission in a proceeding on the deployment of US forces in Europe.
The general, who will end his service as Head of the European Command this summertime and at the same time Chief Alliance Commander in Europe (SACEUR), said that, although he would ultimately, for national European forces to form the basis for the defence of NATO's east flank, that is now unlikely, due to the fact that any countries, specified as the Baltic countries, are simply besides tiny to be able to guarantee their own safety.
Ukraine "is not doomed"
“ U.S. forces bring in abilities that no 1 else has, and can decision faster. So I request them in places where they can be trained and ready, and where they have infrastructure and political agreements, global agreements to rapidly deploy them," Cavoli said. Republican committee chief Roger Wicker stated that US forces should be moved more to the east of Europe. The debate took place against the background of the Trump administration's partial withdrawal of the US's commitment to defending Europe.
The general besides referred to the situation in Ukraine and America's assistance. He estimated that although Ukraine most likely could not liberate all its territories, it was not doomed to defeat Russia. However, he stressed that despite the partial resolution of his personnel problems and home arms production, Kiev inactive relies on the US for advanced air defense. At the same time, he admitted that the Russian army was able to grow its forces despite the losses suffered "faster than expected by analysts".
He assessed that he did not anticipate Ukraine to "be able to destruct so many Russian combat capabilities", while listing 4,000 tanks.
Inquired about the changes considered by the Trump administration concerning the resignation of the dual function of US Force Commander in Europe and the NATO Commander-in-Chief (SACEUR), Cavali admitted that specified a movement could affect “a challenge”. He suggested that 1 of the complications would be control of atomic weapons in the event of a conflict.
Like he said, "United States has always guaranteed NATO a certain amount of atomic power", which would be utilized by the Chief Alliance Commander in Europe "in conflict, with the approval of the United States and another countries". — All of this is under the command and control of SACEUR. Had SACEUR not been an American officer, we would gotta find another way to do so," he added.
Both he and the U.S. Armed Forces Commander in Africa (AFRICOM) General Michael Langley besides assessed that Trump's plan would be hard to bring together both commanders. Langley argued the strategical importance of Africa, in this increasing threat of muslim terrorism on the continent, as well as the influences of China and Russia. He besides estimated that China is presently trying to increase its influence, utilizing the dismantling of the US Aid Agency USAID.
