Top Nato military officer Rob Bauer has told the West to be ready for anything in a chilling warning.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of Nato defence chiefs in Brussels, Bauer said we “have to realise” that peace is “not a given”.

He spoke as bitter conflict continues to wage on in Ukraine.

“We have to realise it’s not a given that we are in peace”, he said.

“And that’s why we [Nato forces] have the plans, that’s why we are preparing for a conflict with Russia.

“The discussion is much wider. It is also the industrial base and also the people that have to understand they play a role.”