Former NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Richard Shirreff, believes the West should show the russian federation "the seriousness" of its response to its aggression.
He said this in an interview with the BBC. Shirreff believes that the obvious escalation of military objectives is "absolutely the right approach."
"Significant resources must be allocated for this, and this must be done throughout the Alliance," he said.
Shirreff warned that Vladimir Putin could react aggressively, but he said the escalation is needed to show the seriousness of the West.
"The worst option is a war with russia. Preparing for the worst option is likely to deter Putin, because, in the end, Putin respects power," he said.
Back in 2016, Shirreff stated that Putin was ready to start World War III. His report, "Weapons to Fear. How Poland and NATO Should Resist Resurrecting russia," emphasized that Poland and NATO should oppose russia.
Shirreff also explained that by the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, Putin wants to divert attention from the deteriorating state of the russian economy. And to justify the war with the West, Putin can easily use the usual russian propaganda.