Putin Ally’s Ominous Prediction of ‘Unprecedented Escalation’ With NATO

Olga Skabeeva, a host on Russian state-run television allied with Russian President Vladimir Putin, made an ominous prediction during a recent broadcast about an escalating conflict with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Spurred on by Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine, Sweden on Thursday became the latest nation to officially join the NATO military alliance, roughly two years since Russia’s invasion first began. Last April, Finland was also admitted as a member, growing the ranks of the alliance that Putin has long viewed as a threat.

Given the pact between NATO members to provide military assistance to other members that are attacked, the alliance is seen by many as a key deterrent against Russian aggression against European nations, as one conflict would escalate into a fight against the entire alliance, including the likes of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

During a recent broadcast on one of Russia’s state-run TV programs, Skabeeva expressed grave concern about the possibility of an imminent attack against Russia from NATO forces. The clip of her comments was shared to X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday by Julia Davis, the founder of the Russian Media Monitor watchdog group, who surmised that Skabeeva’s rhetoric was a “propaganda poly” to prime Russian citizens to support the idea of a “preemptive strike.”

“Call things by their names,” Skabeeva said, as translated by Russian Media Monitor. “It made everyone sick today, how NATO may attack us and possibly destroy us. Just try to wrap your mind around it.”

This came after Skabeeva touched on the recent claim from Singapore’s Minister of Defense, Ng Eng Hen, that new American F-35 fighter jets had been deployed for certain operations in Ukraine, which she described as being a potential hint of an “unprecedented escalation” that could take place between Russia and NATO. Despite her concerns, as Davis noted in her post, the other panelists on the show attempted to explain why such things were less likely than she made them out to be.

Newsweek reached out to foreign defense experts via email for comment. Any responses received will be added to this story in a later update.

NATO currently recognizes some countries as aspiring members, including most notably Ukraine, which has signaled its desire to join. It is, however, considered very unlikely that it will be admitted while the war with Russia persists, as it would pose an unavoidable risk of sparking a broader conflict. Upon Sweden’s recent admittance to the alliance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the development as representing a growing safeguard against “Russian evil.”

“It is important to note that one more country in Europe has achieved greater protection from Russian evil,” he said. “When the security of one country is guaranteed and when that country is able to truly strengthen common security, everyone wins. This rule has worked consistently throughout NATO’s existence.

“And I believe it will work in the future. Ukraine has always supported Sweden in its pursuit of NATO membership, and I thank Sweden for its support of our country – there will be a day when Sweden will be able to congratulate Ukraine on joining the Alliance as well. Together, we are always stronger.”