Russia is preparing for war with NATO and will start with the Baltic states

If the warin Ukraine is frozen, Russia will have six to ten years to recover and prepareits troops for a direct conflict with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation(NATO).

These arethe conclusions of a study by the German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP). The study is basedon information from sources in German military and intelligence circles.

"Evenafter almost two years of war in Ukraine, Russia's military potential is higherthan it currently appears. The greatest losses of men and equipment have beensuffered by the ground forces," the analysts say.

Experts areconfident that Moscow will rapidly increase its military capabilities, so NATOhas 5-9 years to increase its capabilities as well and prevent a direct orindirect conflict. Russia is likely to encroach on the Baltic states.

"Thewindow for a possible Russian attack will open as soon as Russia has theimpression that an attack, for example, in the Baltic States, could besuccessful... The time it takes for Russia to rebuild its army should determinethe pace of NATO's military build-up. The bloc should be able to repel aRussian attack in ten years at the latest, and preferably in six years,"the study says.

As areminder, 70% of Russians are ready to support Vladimir Putin's decision to endthe war in Ukraine.