The West Acknowledges Underestimating Russian Threat

The UK underestimates the threat to its future security posed by Russia, shadow defence secretary Liam Fox has warned. Addressing a fringe meeting at the Conservative Party conference, Dr Fox said Russia was increasing its defence spending this year by 25%, BBC News reported.

 It was also testing more long range missiles and pouring money into two naval bases in Syria, he added. 

He said  Russia poses the most serious “potential threats to our interests”. 

He said  Putin had spoken recently “of having armed forces capable of fighting a global, regional and, if necessary, a few local conflicts”. 

The shadow minister said he had been “amazed” by how little coverage Russia’s new military build-up has received in the Western media. 

He said the country was spending 25% more on defence this year than last year and is testing new inter-continental ballistic missiles, and ordering new frigates for its navy, equipped with cruise missiles. 

The Russians have also reportedly invested in two Syrian ports, he added. 

If they switch their Black Sea fleet there it would be their first Mediterranean base since the 1950s, said Dr Fox, who repeated his warning in a speech in the main conference hall at the Bournemouth conference centre. 

And he warned of the economic power being wielded by Russian gas giant Gazprom, which he said was controlled by “extremely questionable oligarchs and politicians”. 

If Putin went on to be the head of Gazprom after stepping down as Russian “president”, he would be able to wield a “great deal of influence” over neighboring states, Dr Fox told the meeting. 

“It might turn out Putin is a cuddly bunny. It might turn out that he is not. We should be in the risk business,” he added.