Thank you everyone for the support, it means a lot. In the coming weeks, I'm going to be talking with Lawrence Freedman, Vlad Vexler, David Rennie from Drum Tower and many other really interesting guests. If you'd like me to ask them your questions, you can go to my Patreon and become a supporter. But whatever you do, I'm happy that you're here and enjoying these discussions as much as I do. You can also get Richard's book War with Russia here: amzn.to/3HJQ60F

Russia. Never as strong as you fear. Never as weak as you hope.

Russia's neighbours have been warning for years. Polish president said back in 2008 standing in front of Tibilisi crowd "Today Georgia, tomorrow Ukraine, the day after that Baltic States or even my country of Poland" He said it in 2008!

As a Latvian, it is interesting for me to listen to this interview. I remember the days when Western society considered the Baltic states paranoid, when we kept saying that Russia was a threat. Today we all see it - and Poland, the Baltic states and now Finland - we have been preparing for this terrible conflict for years, but what worries us the most? Western countries and Western society are not ready - the West still lives in some kind of world of illusions, that the war is far away, that Russia will not attack, because Putin says all the time that it is a conflict between Russia and Ukraine. No - this is a conflict about values ​​- and Russia's existence as an old empire has only one path - territorial expansion, because it needs resources. If Russia becomes truly democratic, it will begin to collapse, as it already began to happen in Russia under Boris Yeltsin (probably the only period in Russian history when there were any real early signs of democracy). In all that chaos of the Russian Federation, the republics of the Caucasus - such as Chechnya - began to break away. If we want peace in Europe today, then we must prepare for war as quickly as possible, because Russia tends to attack the weaker and is afraid to strike the stronger, because Russia and Russians as people only respect brute force!

Writing here from latvia. These people have felt this aggression from russia for centuries. The estonians have a saying - Nothing good ever comes from the East. This is spot on. Thank you.

I Like this chap. He is not reading from notes. He is speaking what is in his head. Without prompts from things writen on a page. He wrote a prophetic book, because his mind is engaged with reality, and he has to say what needs to be said. It is bursting out of him. I take my hat off to him.

Unfortunately, here in Europe, as I speak with people around me many (but not all) are simply in denial. They can't conceive of the possibility of war coming to us, and things being hugely different if Russian aggression is unchecked. How to break through this state of being "in denial"?

I am an Italian immigrant who is waiting for the results of the British Citizenship application. Once I get it, I will apply to join the reserves, I am happy to defend democracy and the country that gave me all the opportunities Italy didn't give to me. Italy gave me a very good education, but forgot about the rest...

1914 1939 problem all over again! Totally unprepared militarily unprepared with the politicians in total in denial and incapable too act!

Poland knew it all along, even before joining NATO in the '90. After joining in she warned NATO of the Russian threat as early as 2008 when Georgia's territories were invaded.

As a Latvian, I really appreciate this discussion. I’ve had a bad feeling for so long, but I do not allow myself to fester in fear. I’ve spent my 50 years on this planet angry towards the Soviets and Russians, and especially towards Putin. I am tired of it. Thank you for caring (: 💙💪💛💙🌻🌻 Putin is a monster.

I also predicted this years ago. My family actually called me Russophobic, which is strange as I know so much more about Eastern Europe than they do and even speak a little Russian. I just saw what Putin was about. I knew that the things he was doing to his own people are things that dictators always eventually try to do to other countries. I could see the scale of propaganda and influence Russia was using in the West was going to lead to military action.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union we really hoped Russia would've adopted a more western values approach. So much so we ignored many red flags. We have been so naive about Russian leadership.

Don’t forget Polish president Lech Kaczyński who also was warning about Russians and where it all is navigating. He was later was killed in mysterious circumstances in his plane crash in Russia (as Putin’s enemies tend to)

Thank you for this excellent conversation! I am a 59yo (West-)German who served as a conscript in the Bundeswehr in the mid/late 1980s, when full-scale Russian attacks on NATO like described in "Red Storm Rising" were considered the most likely threat. It is eeriy to see this come back again. Some points: 1) Since February 2022 it very much feels like the time the Spanish Civil War raged. It was a clear sign of things to come. Yet, the big conflict only started some months after its smaller predecessor ended. Am I scared? Yes. Barring a miracle, it's coming for us in one form or another. I am starting to understand how France felt in 1938. 2) Is Germany ready? Definetly no. This is partly due to developments that happened in many Western countries, as described by General Shirref, but also due to the pacifist reeducation of the German populace. My generation was raised on "Never again shall war come out of Germany." Certainly words to live by, but they left us a bit blind to the fact that there might be other bad guys in the room who would bring war to our doorstep without us inviting them. The slowish reaction of the current German gouvernment after the start of the Russian invasion two years ago can be partly explained this way. 3) Having said that I have to tell you that the turnaround in German politics has been quite remarkable. I would not have believed anyone who told me three years ago that we would supply Leopard 2s to a country that was in open war, and with Russia at that. We have done a lot, more than could have reasonably been expected knowing the state of our politics. On the other hand, I agree with the general that it is not enough and we have to do more. I am for instance totally at a loss why we apparently have not really ratched up ammunition fabrication. Setting up a voluntary Territorial Army of weekend soldiers would also be a wayy forward 4) I once promised to defend my country, but that was long ago. If it comes to the crunch now, I'll be too old, too slow, too overweight and too shortsighted to be of any use out there. No Valhalla for me, I guess, unless building Molotov cocktails counts as fighting. Let's get to work and hope for the best. And again, thank you for the time, work and resources it took to make this video!

Exactly, As a former NATO fighter pilot in the Cold War, this is where my thinking has always been, as I believe it has been for most of us with that background. As for Putin's speech that Gen. Shirreff alludes to, the Maya Angelou adage applies: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."

most young people around me are kind of oblivious to this kind of threat. They care about specific social issues but with absolute disregard for the global context. I really like young Eastern Europeans for being less lost about this....

Poles and Balts were ringing alarm bells long before your guest voiced his concerns. Back in 2008, when Russia attacked Georgia, Polish president Lech Kaczyński (whom I don't judge well on other things) famously said: first Georgia, latter Ukraine, Baltics after that and at the end Russia might attack my country, Poland. It was quite arrogant of the Germans, French and others to dismiss concerns of countries on NATO's eastern flank as alarmist, but at the end we were proven right...

I've been following the progression of this war since the beginning. I've seen many interviews with many experts, military bloggers, soldiers, commanders... But the sheer wisdom of general Shirreff has surprised me. He has crystal clear view of the situation and possible outcomes of it, and I agree 100% with him. Great interview, congrats.

Even with my background as a former fighter pilot (and hence a bias towards air power), I agree with Gen. Shirreff that the strategic direction of the British forces has seen its land war fighting capabilities dismantled. Advanced fighter jets and aircraft carriers have their place but war, if it comes, requires a ready, professional army.

Clear thinking, clearly spoken. Thank you.

It is profoundly unsettling, as an American, to listen to General Richard Shirreff, who I believe is correct on all points, especially that of the "need of bold leadership from our political class" and a change of mindset regarding European security. I am loathe to imagine the day the US would abandon Europe to its fate with Russia, our partners in defense, and our partners in values and beliefs. I would wish the same address to our political class for bold leadership, resolve, and the maintenance of partnership with our allies.

All of Central-Eastern Europe saw it coming, but we were being ridiculed!!! Now, we see an invasion of the Baltics coming in the next few years, but again, people in the West LAUGH AGAIN, call it fearmongering. And when it happens, they will act super surprised and say, that nobody could have known!!

Utterly brilliant man. Can we please listen to men who have devoted their lives to military service to their country and NOT the Marjorie Taylor Greenes and Trumps of the world?

It is great to hear someone who sees the situation as it is. The reason that Russia pushes the NATO expansion theory is not only to give their own people an enemy. It is also to influence leaders in the West into thinking that it is a response to their previous aggressive actions and that if they do not provoke Russia it will bring peace.

The west "letting" putin get away with invading crimea and donbas was the worst mistake. The battle of Kiev was unbelivable. Ukraine's victory made it possible to win over the muskowitz. As a Norwegian I was angry that NATO dragged its feet because I saw the devastation of my country and at least eastern Europe was imminent if Ukraine was occupied. That would have made Putin and Russia able to invade Europe at any moment and at least shift the global leadership to the far east .Thanks to Britains support and someone in the high offices in NATO need to hire this general asap.

My polish colleague told me in 2007 that europe wasnt listening to polish warnings about russia. Never turn your back on russia, even i realised my colleague might know more than me, a brit, but i knew europe were too arrogant to hear the news.

It is quite painful to accept this and then accept that no one else takes this seriously and this is just a matter of human nature - ignoring threats and hiding our heads in the sand

It's a shame that people like the Gen.Shireff are not in charge as political decision makers.

Ahoj z Polska, Dominik!👋🏻Thank you for this great interview! It's always good on war issues to listen to military men, practitioners with experience of all kinds of stages and levels. What General Shirreff is talking about here we also often hear from our military and experts in Poland. From myself, I'd perhaps add a few comments on Ukraine's war strategy actively supported by the West. The point is that Ukraine simply has to get the West's permission to use Western weaponry to strike targets deep inside Russia. There's no other option!!! You can't win a war if you don't fight it, and limit yourself to defensive actions only!! There's no more room for ossification or fear on the part of the West. Everything is clear, we know Russia's intentions - they want to move forward regardless of whether we enable Ukraine to wage a real war or not. In fine, more ammo, more armaments, long-range missiles and permission to attack targets deep inside Russia. And not a step back!💪🏻✌🏻

48 minutes in, is where I spotted, that I was not subscribed to this channel. That's the moment where I thought "This is the thing I have been thinking, that some public figure must say". I am very happy to have browsed my way here.

Gen Shirreff is someone the government needs to listen to, he is a mind of information and a true leader that can see beyond the present. What a waste and shame that such a man just retires and fade into the background. He deserves the highest level of respect as he tells the truth how he see's a situation without fear of upsetting those in power.

Having listened to the end of this interview I must say that what the general says matches my thoughts 100%. I have travelled the East of Europe since 1964 and the USSR since 1968, and by doing so I have learned to read the mind of Poles, Russians and most of the others. The Russians in particular took me longest. A Russian sculptor told me way back in the 70’s that Russians have a double blood stream overlooked by the West. Putin is classical example. But Russians only believe in force and power and that goes down to the ordinary man in the street. Politicians in the West should log in into this interview.

The best interview I have ever heard in 2 years of war. I lived in Riga, my son is half-Latvian, and having a deep knowledge of Russia and Latvian history, I cannot but just agree 100% with Gen. Richard Shirreff. He is just brilliant, we have impending WWIII, Russia shall never ever change, is the same that under the Czars or the Soviets.

Very impressed with this interview . As a son of a Gurkha officer , I think the general is bang on here. We are facing a bully in Putin and Europe must, unfortunately, re-arm,

Thing is, Britain is an island, and as such this has made us complacent. Preparations for war need to be taken now, as Britain did in the 1930s . Better be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

Thanks for the interview. But why go for water across the pond. As being Swedish and working in Poland since 2009 this isn’t news to me. There's plenty of books and essays in several magazines and newspapers that this would happen all the way to the late 90's in Poland. I'm actually extremely amazed that these "experts" woke up just recently. Look what's happening in Moldova right this moment. Cheers

I love seeing older highly experienced folk engage with young bright minds

24:09 Dear General, if it's true what you say, and I have no reason to doubt, why then does it appear that the West is giving Ukraine just so much that they don't lose, but not enough that they win? This also means prolonged agony for Ukraine. And we're harming ourselves, as you say further on.

I have not heard of this man before, but I totally agree. We are at war. Somehow so many seem to ignore that dangerous and tragic reality. It seems that we had peace for so long, that people just cant fathom the idea of an actual war happening here. There is just such a weird disconnect to be observed.

I've read Gen. Shireff's fictional scenario book on the Russian invasion of the Baltics. A great read.

I'm a 68 yr old retired British Army veteran with 16 years of the Cold War under my belt, along with the euphoria of The Wall falling, and experience of NATO intervention in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the aftermath of that upheaval. Richard Shirreff's response to the Orci invasion of Ukraine on 24 Feb (12m 10s into the video) matches my own - desperate fear that my three sons may have to go to war to stop Russia.

The worrying thing is he says we need bold strong leadership😂......and our political class is likely the worst we've ever had!

Excellent interviewer with an excellent interviewee. Will be seeking out his book. In the meantime I've made a contribution to the channel. First time I've ever done that, which shows how worthwhile I found it. Agree it's now the time for universal military service / reservists in the U.K. along Swiss/Finnish lines. Slava Ukraïni.

These are questions that come to mind for me: Were efforts made to deepen economic and cultural ties with Russia? Would Russia still be aggressive if strong economic ties (beyond just selling oil and gas) linked it to Europe? Why was Russia not admitted to NATO? Wouldn't NATO membership have removed its aggressive stance towards Europe?

Ive done a number of long distance cycling trips, was fairly often in Ukraine. One one trip in 2017 I was traveling across the blalck sea back from Batumi to Odessa. A story in itself was that we had hit a refueling ship at sea the night before requiring the readying of lifecraft. Relevant to this video, the next day we were postponed at sea as Russia was playing war games with its black sea fleet outside of Odessa. This was 2017. The signs are often clear to sea prior to events. Weapons are a waste of state money, ideally. In practice they can act as a deterrent, and at some point countries need to defend themselves. As a brit living in Germany I hope not to have to fight, but I can't live in a country/region enjoying my freedoms if I'm not willing to fight for them, despite it not being to my nature. I am very concerned by the attitude in the UK that fighting in europe is not for the benefit of the UK. A europe controlled by Russia is the end of th4e UK, just as Nazi controlled europe would have been. In truth Russia is already controlling the far right in europe and trying to fragment our countries, he seems to have suceeded in the US and we should be preparing in europe to have to go it alone.

Many of us here in Ukraine have foreseen this since the occupation of Crimea. Unfortunately, many also decided that things would not go further, even when subsequent events in Donbass proved otherwise. When in the fall of 2021 the United States announced that Russia was preparing for an invasion, few took it seriously, and when on the expected day nothing happened, it caused some to exhale and others to laugh, accusing Washington of lying, including russians themselves. For us, the guessing ended on the evening of February 23rd. Our territorial defense units gathered in designated places, received weapons and communications equipment (which turned out to be unnecessary, because the Russians did not even think about jamming communications) and moved out to help the border guards, the National Guard and the police. The rest is history.

This guy needs to be advising the British government

Thank you for your content. Great insight, General! You aren’t alone with your concerns if Trump gets elected. I have faith the silent majority won’t let that happen. Just Say’n 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇦

I wish Macron, Schulz and all leaders of Europe will listen to Richard Shirreff.

What a great understanding this man has. EVERY person in Europe and America needs to listen to this interview!

An extremely important and valuable interview with a military professional who has been at the top level of both British and NATO military policy/strategy-making, including direct negotiation with the top Russian military. It has recast my view of the urgency of the need to support Ukraine, as the US, as it has done so consistently, betrays its Ukrainian Ally, as do Berlin & Paris. The urgent need to rebuild the British Army, including some form of conscription and mass training, is clear.

Never have I agreed 90% with another officer. Sombre. Salient. Measured. Rousing.

I am really ashamed for Slovakia, my country. Nevertheless there are still many people supporting Ukraine.

We signalled in 2014- that we'd do nothing. What did we expect to happen?

Great interview, thanks for making it happen

Brilliant questions, answers, and interview overall! A new subscriber. Thank you. 👏👏👏🙏🇨🇦🇬🇧🇺🇦

People are so conditioned to move on nowadays, they already forgot the fear of Feb 24th 2022... and this shall be the demise of the democratic world. Unless we wake up!

Some people think we should not support Ukraine- I've seen enough Russians on UKposts saying "We'll take Alaska back too!" Like when Hitler grabbed Czechoslovakia. When I typed this in Hitler had not been mentioned...

TOP talk! I wish we had this kind of level of discussion on the BBC as well. THANK YOU

THANK YOU FOR THIS INTERVIEW.

At minute 5 he is talking about Putins annexation speech and compares it to "mein kampf" it is an accurate comparison Putin even used "Russian soil is where Russian blood is" which is a direct reference to the blood and soil ideology of the third reich.

There is one reason Russia has been able to get to this point. Greed. Those in power turned a blind eye because Russian money was flowing out in to the hands of Western countries.

Eye opening conversation. Great !!!

Is not a prediction If you actively push for something. If you push a glass from the table it is not a surprise If it breaks on the floor. What is a surprise for you is that Russia has not been afected by this as much as you expected.

Excellent interview! I liked you letting the general to talk and develop his points on well- pointed questions.

The WORLD needs to hear what Gen. Richard Shirreff has to say!!!!!!

To paraphrase Ibsen, "the wisest men are the most alone". This was fascinating--thanks for posting.--Kevin Whelan

This guy need to be sitting in NATO he has a better insight into what’s going on than most, give Ukraine what they need to push back Russia

UK led in creating a supporting cast when most countries were shy away from going against Russia. Thank you UK

Thank you for helping to educate us on such an important topic.

General, I appreciate you referencing Russia’s aggression against Georgia in 2008. At the same time, I believe that the collective West’s complacency in response to 2008 war shall be viewed as an example of a skewed policy that shall not be repeated.

Great podcast. General Shirreff"s warning should be taken very seriously. 🇺🇦✌️

Sincere respect for gen. Shirreff from Croatia. Must admit, I also thought the book was "...exaggeration...Putin would not be crazy like Hitler...." How wrong I was. However, from the very first day after the war started, having heard them speak, was convinced that gen. Shirreff, gen. Hodges, gen. Breedlove and all other experts should have been heeded.

Thank you Dominik. Very valuable work you are doing here.

Thank you! Excellent interview!

The collapse in social cohesion here in the uk from mass migration has resulted in such disunity I doubt we can actually field an army to fight putin.

This has been a wonderful, sobering and enlightening discussion. Thank you both so much.

When i was at sixth form college in 1990 we did a test as to which country could become Fascist expansionist. We worked out Russia was obvious due to the similarity with Germany in the late 20s and early 30s. When Georgia wss invaded it was so much like the Sudetenland. So no surprise here apart from how long it took

"few people who saw the threat before everyone else".... NO. ALL of russia's neighbours saw this IMMEDIATELY. Ignored for decades, of course. Why? Very good question!

"Whe are at war." - The most important note. Great interview.👍

Europe rearming is one of the few boons to come from this nightmare. We need to remember NATO isn't just an American project, we all need to get serious. My own country outsourced most of its arms production to Spain, which to all but the politicians was an obvious mistake.

Great Conversation, Thanks!

Yeah... He hit the nail right on the head when he talked about how our fathers and grandfathers fought wars so we didn't have to. I've thought of that point a lot since before this all began, which was probably back in 2012 when the Russian strategic nuclear bombers re-commenced patrols. The denial is dangerous, and in the West we're dealing with three generations of people who's idea of catastrophe is a fall in the value of their assets, or the inability to find a socket to charge their iPhones. Everything's always just been alright, but it isn't going to be anymore. 😐

33:44 As a Hungarian who is committed for European, EU and NATO values and security I sincerely apologize for our government's outrageous behaviour regarding this matter. My great grandma was imprisoned by the communists in the 1950s because she sold books "for extra profit" one of her neighbors was jealous at her and reported her to the police. No legal process. Then her prison sentence was reduced....to 12 hour shifts in a shipyard hammering metal sheets, while her two daughters (one of them my grandma) were looked after by friends. Hungarians forgot very quickly the terror we were put through by the communist...with Soviet - Russian leadership.

Never a truer word was spoken Thank you Sir x

“History Doesn't Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes” - Mark Twain.

He needs to listen to professor Mersheimer to get full analysis.

Appreciate the smart conversation!

Great interview. Thank you! Good channel. Liked. Subscribed.

Such a great interview Amazing clarity of thought from General Shirreff

Greedy caused to grow China so much and feeded Russia (Nord Stream gas pipeline etc.) and enabled them to attack another countries again. We financed their growth/ recovery. What is even more tragic - now, when everything is so obvious and predictions became true - West is still undecisive hoping maybe they will get away effortlessly....somewhat like in the beggining of WW2 - we all know, how it ended...Well, yes - less consequences for Western Europe than for Eastern but still pretty tragicly....

thank you and cheers from Kyiv!

Extraordinary interview. Thank you very much. Let's all share it widely.

I’m Polish 🇵🇱 living in Oxford, not thinking of going back but very worried about the next step Putin is going to take

My nan predicted it too and she's a lunatic reared by two stumpy chickens called doris and Bethel.

Great interview with an amazing clear and precise language. The deep historical understanding of the Russian imperial ambitions is essential to understand this war.

Great interview! Vlad Vexler, philosopher - Russian emigre - UKpostsr, has stated clearly that the Russian elite and governing class consider the Baltic states as Russian and will pursue the path to claim them "back". Vlad Vexler knows the Russian psyche and has watched it evolve so knows what he is talking about.

Thank you for support and your bright thoughts. I hope Europe will wake up before it gets too late

An insightful and necessary discussion - well done