ROME, October 10. /TASS/. NATO’s new "Theory of Victory" plan is intended to ensure that "war never begins," Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, assured said in an interview with La Repubblica newspaper, responding to a question about criticism that the plan was a "provocation against Russia."

"The word ‘victory’ in this context means, first and foremost, just one thing: war will never begin because those who threaten us are convinced not to start it. That is precisely why we must demonstrate that our collective deterrence system is reliable and suited to current conditions," he said.

"Defense planning is not a provocation; it is the duty of any responsible military organization. [It is based] on the principle that deterrence is effective only when the adversary knows that an attack has no chance of success," Dragone explained. In his view, the best victory is one that does not have to be fought for.

NATO's military command has drawn up a new defense plan for the alliance's eastern flank, focusing on drones and artificial intelligence. Dubbed the "Theory of Victory," it will be presented to NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich on October 12. The plan aims to clarify responses to a "possible invasion of NATO territory" and emphasizes countering hybrid threats and deterrence through combat readiness.

Russia’s leadership has repeatedly rejected speculation that the country may attack NATO states by 2030. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last year that Moscow was ready to "formalize an agreement on mutual non-aggression with Western countries in order to address existing concerns in this regard." Later, at a TASS-organized meeting with the heads of leading global news agencies, the Russian leader stressed that claims of Moscow allegedly preparing to attack Europe were not merely nonsense, but a provocation and disinformation aimed at deceiving their own populations.