Part 7/14:
This situation heightens fears of a broader conflict, risking accidental or deliberate clashes that could trigger NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause. Some NATO countries, like Estonia, suggest that training inside Ukraine might not automatically activate this clause, but the risk remains high, especially as rumors circulate about NATO personnel already operating covertly within Ukrainian borders. Russia’s warnings serve as a clear deterrent but also risk curtailing Western efforts to assist Ukraine’s military effort.