Putin clear and present danger, says Shapps

Putin "clearly represents a clear and present danger" Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said.

Mr Shapps was questioned over a comment made by the Chair of the Nato committee, Admiral Rob Bauer who said "we have to realise it's not a given that we are in peace.

"And that's why we are preparing for a conflict with Russia".

He told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, "As Nato says, we always need to be prepared" after highlighting the role the UK will play in Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 – one of NATO's largest military exercises in Europe since the Cold War.

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The UK is expected to send 20,000 military personnel to take part in Ex Steadfast Defender 24.

During the first half of 2024, personnel from the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force will deploy across Europe alongside 31 Nato allies and Sweden as the alliance practises repelling an invasion by Russian forces.

Mr Shapps added: "We always exercise with other nations, we always carry these things out.

"This is the largest we've done because clearly Putin represents a clear and present danger".

All-out war with Russia is a possibility within the next 20 years, Admiral Rob Bauer said earlier this week.

Speaking after a meeting of Nato defence chiefs, the chairman of the Military Committee told reporters private citizens need to prepare themselves for a potential conflict that would change their lives.

He also warned that large groups of people would need to mobilise in the event of war and authorities must ensure systems are in place to manage it.

The Dutch naval officer praised Sweden for its move in asking all residents to brace themselves for war ahead of the nation joining the alliance.