Vladimir Putin 'discussing attack on NATO' as warning issued to all of Europe

German intelligence has uncovered evidence that the Kremlin is discussing an attack on NATO, a top EU defence official has claimed.

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius said the continent should be ready to defend itself from Russia and take a leaf out of Ukraine's book when it comes to drones.

In an interview with Polish daily, Wyborczahe warned: “I trust the secret services. And Germanintelligence claims it has evidence that the Kremlin is discussing an attack on NATO. And if they're discussing it, are they planning an attack?

“We don't know. But such signals must be taken deadly seriously. They may indeed be ready for war. We must also be ready for it and learn not only from the experiences of the Ukrainians, but also from the Russians."

The news comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West with Putin and Trump trading accusations that both Nato and Russia are “paper tigers” on Thursday.

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He accused NATO allies of whipping up hysteria about a possible attack on a member state and accused the alliance of supplying Ukraine with weapons, intelligence and training, the Express reports.

"If anyone still has a desire to compete with us in the military sphere, as we say, feel free, let them try. Russia's countermeasures will not be long in coming," the Russian dictator added.

Before Putin made his remarks Trump addressed a meeting of US generals and admirals, saying of Russia's war with Ukraine: "You’re four years fighting a war that should have taken a week. Are you a paper tiger?"

Alongside the war of words there have been a growing number of intrusions into NATO countries' airspace, which some blame on Russia.

Some experts have said it could be Moscow testing NATO’s response.

On September 10, a swarm of Russian drones flew into Poland's airspace, forcing NATO aircraft to scramble to intercept and shoot down some of the devices.

The incident marked the first direct encounter between NATO and Russia since Putin declared war on Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

A few days later three Russian warplanes were escorted out of Estonia’s airspace by NATO jets, meanwhile flyovers have been reported near airports, military installations and critical infrastructure elsewhere on the continent.

Russia has denied any intentional wrongdoing or that it was involved in the incidents, with details scanty as European authorities refrain from releasing detailed accounts of the drone incursions, with some not acknowledging the overflights publicly until days later.