Russian general says US could become NATO’s “gravedigger”

The United States could potentially end cooperation with NATO due to the alliance’s failure to support Washington’s calls regarding the war in Iran, retired FSB Major General Alexander Mikhailov said in remarks to TASS.

Mikhailov, who heads the central executive committee of the All-Russian organisation “Officers of Russia,” argued that the situation could go as far as Washington effectively undermining the alliance. “Moreover, the US could become NATO’s gravedigger,” he said, recalling that French President Emmanuel Macron had previously stated, even before the events in Ukraine, that NATO had exhausted its purpose.

According to Mikhailov, recent developments demonstrate that the alliance no longer functions as a unified project. “Everyone is for themselves,” he said, adding that US President Donald Trump is angered by what he views as a lack of return on US support for NATO and questioning whether it is worth continuing to fund the alliance if it does not respond to US appeals.

Mikhailov also commented on the military dimension of a potential US confrontation with Iran, stating that while Trump appears determined to consider a ground operation, the outcome of any conflict would depend primarily on air superiority. He noted that despite the strength of the US air force, large-scale bombardments are not particularly effective.

At the same time, he said Iran has built up significant capabilities in drones and guided missiles capable of targeting concentrations of troops and equipment.

According to Mikhailov, a US ground intervention in Iran would result in extremely high casualties on both sides, describing the potential outcome as “mountains of corpses,” and emphasising that such losses serve as a major deterrent for Washington.

His comments come amid statements by President Donald Trump in interviews with Reuters and The Daily Telegraph, in which he expressed strong dissatisfaction with NATO. Trump said he feels “disgust” toward the alliance and is considering the possibility of withdrawing the United States from it. He also indicated that Washington is reviewing its role in NATO due to the lack of support in the conflict with Iran, describing the alliance as a “paper tiger” and acknowledging that he has never had much sympathy for it.

By Tamilla Hasanova