The Times: Does the UK really face war against Russia?

Reynolds added that while recruitment and procurement was focused on replacing human and equipment losses in Ukraine, a Ukrainian defeat or a ceasefire on terms favourable to Russia could free forces committed there, “which would be primed for potential redeployment”. Any pause in fighting in Ukraine would allow Russia to rebuild significant stockpiles, and the rise in oil prices had thrown the Russian economy a temporary lifeline, which would be likely to allow Russia’s high defence expenditure to continue, he added. “The current situation is extremely threatening to European countries, though that threat cannot manifest while the Ukrainian armed forces continue to resist the ongoing full-scale invasion.”