NATO defence planners assess that Europe would not be able to fight a prolonged war of attrition against Russia with its current readiness. The warning surfaced at the Munich Security Conference, where the discussion focused on how quickly the alliance could respond to a crisis.

The concern is sharpened by doubts that the public would support a conflict that drags on for years. Participants at the meeting said NATO should therefore plan for a relatively short confrontation rather than assume it could sustain a long war.

The debate is also shaped by U.S. plans to scale back its commitment to Europe’s defence. That puts added pressure on European countries to strengthen their own military preparedness and resilience in an increasingly tense security environment.