US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker warned that the allies' nations should be prepared for a scenario in which Russia attacks a NATO nation. This comes after a Wall Street Journal report which claimed to have acquired leaked US intelligence: Russia could launch a limited attack, either a land incursion or cyberattack, on a member country within the next few years.&nbsp;“You can't predict what Vladimir Putin's going to do or any adversary. All you can do is be prepared for it and deter and make it not worth their time to make that move,” Whitaker said. “And I think we are preparing every single day to prevent that from happening, and if it does happen, to be ready for it.“We should know that our adversary invaded Ukraine, and so we should all be pretty clear-eyed,” Whitaker added. He did not directly comment on the Wall Street Journal report, which said that Putin will possibly have the ability to attack a NATO nation much sooner than the previous assessment of 10-15 years.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/taiwan-man-robot-vacuum-camera-wife-affair-prison-1788352502028">Husband uses secret camera to record wife’s affair, wins divorce case, ends up in jail for spying</a>In 2025, NATO allies agreed to allocate up to 5 per cent of their annual GDP towards defence by 2035. At least 3.5 per cent has to go towards defence while the rest can go towards infrastructure development such as constructing roads, bridges, airports and other projects.“We need to exercise, as it matters. We need to prepare, we need to invest in capabilities,” Whitaker said in a USA TODAY interview. Western intelligence believes that the ongoing war with Ukraine has transformed the Russian economy and led to rapid expansion of its defence production capabilities. Roughly 40 per cent of Russia's federal spending is allocated to defence and security, supporting the production of bombs and tanks that are sent to the frontline in the war against Ukraine. The US and its other NATO allies have operated in a peacetime economy.&nbsp;The warning is in contradiction to Trump's assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not planning an assault in NATO territory, after CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow unannounced and reportedly warned Putin against it. Russia on August 27 denied that it was planning to attack NATO countries. State media publication TASS reported that those reports are baseless, quoting Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.&nbsp;&nbsp;

US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker urged allies to prepare for a possible Russian attack as a report claims Moscow could target a NATO member within years.

US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker warned that the allies' nations should be prepared for a scenario in which Russia attacks a NATO nation. This comes after a Wall Street Journal report which claimed to have acquired leaked US intelligence: Russia could launch a limited attack, either a land incursion or cyberattack, on a member country within the next few years. “You can't predict what Vladimir Putin's going to do or any adversary. All you can do is be prepared for it and deter and make it not worth their time to make that move,” Whitaker said. “And I think we are preparing every single day to prevent that from happening, and if it does happen, to be ready for it. “We should know that our adversary invaded Ukraine, and so we should all be pretty clear-eyed,” Whitaker added. He did not directly comment on the Wall Street Journal report, which said that Putin will possibly have the ability to attack a NATO nation much sooner than the previous assessment of 10-15 years. Also Read: Husband uses secret camera to record wife’s affair, wins divorce case, ends up in jail for spying In 2025, NATO allies agreed to allocate up to 5 per cent of their annual GDP towards defence by 2035. At least 3.5 per cent has to go towards defence while the rest can go towards infrastructure development such as constructing roads, bridges, airports and other projects. “We need to exercise, as it matters. We need to prepare, we need to invest in capabilities,” Whitaker said in a USA TODAY interview. Western intelligence believes that the ongoing war with Ukraine has transformed the Russian economy and led to rapid expansion of its defence production capabilities. Roughly 40 per cent of Russia's federal spending is allocated to defence and security, supporting the production of bombs and tanks that are sent to the frontline in the war against Ukraine. The US and its other NATO allies have operated in a peacetime economy. The warning is in contradiction to Trump's assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not planning an assault in NATO territory, after CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow unannounced and reportedly warned Putin against it. Russia on August 27 denied that it was planning to attack NATO countries. State media publication TASS reported that those reports are baseless, quoting Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker urged allies to prepare for a possible Russian attack as a report claims Moscow could target a NATO member within years.

US envoy warns NATO allies to prepare for possible Russian attack amid intelligence report

Deputy US Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who has overseen the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-calls-claims-about-russian-election-meddling-a-hoax-and-blames-obama-153722">Russian election meddling probe</a>, is set to leave the US Department of Justice in coming weeks as President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the department is set to take over, several US media outlets reported on Wednesday.

Rosenstein has had oversight of the US Special Counsel's probe into alleged Russian interference in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-slams-ridiculous-us-election-meddling-charges-169505">2016 presidential election and possible connections to Trump's campaign</a>. Then-attorney general Jeff Sessions, an early Trump supporter during the presidential campaign, had recused himself.

William Barr, Trump's pick to replace Sessions who was fired soon after the November midterm congressional elections, is set to appear for a confirmation hearing next week before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which must weigh his nomination before the full Senate considers his approval.

ABC News, citing multiple sources familiar with Rosenstein's plans, reported that he intended to leave in the coming weeks as Barr transitioned into the job. Fox News, citing unnamed Justice Department officials, also reported the planned departure in weeks. CNN also reported the move, citing an unnamed source.

Reuters was unable to immediately verify the reports and representatives for the Justice Department could not be immediately reached for comment.

If confirmed, Barr, who was US Attorney General under the late President George H W Bush from 1991 to 1993, would oversee the investigation led by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a fellow Republican chosen by Rosenstein.

Barr's nomination is likely to meet heavy scrutiny regarding the ongoing investigation, particularly from Democrats, following reports he had written a memo in June questioning the probe. Rosenstein has said the memo had no impact on the department's work.

Officials told ABC and Fox that Rosenstein had planned to serve as deputy for two years - a milestone that was approaching.

He also wanted to help ensure Barr, if confirmed by the Senate, had a smooth transition, ABC said, citing sources.

Rosenstein has stayed on under Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, whose controversial appointment has sparked numerous legal challenges and raised questions about what role he would play regarding the investigation.

Rosenstein has been frequently criticized by Trump, who calls the Russia investigation a "witch hunt" and denies any collusion with Moscow. Russia has also denied any election interference.

US intelligence agencies have found that Russia sought to sway the 2016 presidential vote to Trump over Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton.

Deputy US Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who has overseen the Russian election meddling probe, is set to leave the US Department of Justice in coming weeks as President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the department is set to take over, several US media outlets reported on Wednesday.

Deputy US Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who has overseen the Russian election meddling probe, is set to leave the US Department of Justice in coming weeks as President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the department is set to take over, several US media outlets reported on Wednesday. Rosenstein has had oversight of the US Special Counsel's probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible connections to Trump's campaign. Then-attorney general Jeff Sessions, an early Trump supporter during the presidential campaign, had recused himself. William Barr, Trump's pick to replace Sessions who was fired soon after the November midterm congressional elections, is set to appear for a confirmation hearing next week before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which must weigh his nomination before the full Senate considers his approval. ABC News, citing multiple sources familiar with Rosenstein's plans, reported that he intended to leave in the coming weeks as Barr transitioned into the job. Fox News, citing unnamed Justice Department officials, also reported the planned departure in weeks. CNN also reported the move, citing an unnamed source. Reuters was unable to immediately verify the reports and representatives for the Justice Department could not be immediately reached for comment. If confirmed, Barr, who was US Attorney General under the late President George H W Bush from 1991 to 1993, would oversee the investigation led by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a fellow Republican chosen by Rosenstein. Barr's nomination is likely to meet heavy scrutiny regarding the ongoing investigation, particularly from Democrats, following reports he had written a memo in June questioning the probe. Rosenstein has said the memo had no impact on the department's work. Officials told ABC and Fox that Rosenstein had planned to serve as deputy for two years - a milestone that was approaching. He also wanted to help ensure Barr, if confirmed by the Senate, had a smooth transition, ABC said, citing sources. Rosenstein has stayed on under Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, whose controversial appointment has sparked numerous legal challenges and raised questions about what role he would play regarding the investigation. Rosenstein has been frequently criticized by Trump, who calls the Russia investigation a "witch hunt" and denies any collusion with Moscow. Russia has also denied any election interference. US intelligence agencies have found that Russia sought to sway the 2016 presidential vote to Trump over Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton.

US official overseeing Russia collusion probe to leave: Reports

President Donald Trump said on Friday he had not discussed the probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 US presidential election with Matt Whitaker before appointing him as acting attorney general, and it was up to Whitaker whether he wanted to be involved with the investigation.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump defended his choice of Whitaker, who has been panned by critics for his past comments on the probe, saying the former US attorney had an excellent reputation and came highly recommended by former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who is now Trump's ambassador to China.

Trump repeatedly emphasized that he did not know Whitaker, whom he had tapped on Wednesday to lead the Justice Department on a temporary basis after forcing Attorney General Jeff Sessions out of the job.

"Matt Whitaker - I don’t know Matt Whitaker," Trump said.

After Trump named Whitaker acting attorney general, a Justice Department spokeswoman said he would oversee all matters under the department's jurisdiction, including the Russia investigation being led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Mueller is probing both Russia's interference and whether Trump's presidential campaign may have colluded with Moscow.

Whitaker has publicly criticized the investigation as being too broad, and Democrats have called on him to recuse himself, saying his appointment this week appeared to be an effort by Trump to impede the investigation.

"No matter who I put in, they go after him," Trump said. "He's a highly respected man, especially by law enforcement, and I think he's going to do a great job."

US intelligence agencies have said Russia interfered in the election in an attempt to tip it towards Trump and away from his Democratic opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Russia has denied interfering, and Trump has repeatedly said there was no collusion between his campaign and Moscow.

"I didn’t speak to Matt Whitaker about it," Trump said of the Russia probe, adding he did not rule out sitting down for an interview with Mueller.

"I haven't ruled out anything," he said. "I haven't even thought about it."

President Donald Trump said on Friday he had not discussed the probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 US presidential election with Matt Whitaker before appointing him as acting attorney general, and it was up to Whitaker whether he wanted to be involved with the investigation.

President Donald Trump said on Friday he had not discussed the probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 US presidential election with Matt Whitaker before appointing him as acting attorney general, and it was up to Whitaker whether he wanted to be involved with the investigation. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump defended his choice of Whitaker, who has been panned by critics for his past comments on the probe, saying the former US attorney had an excellent reputation and came highly recommended by former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who is now Trump's ambassador to China. Trump repeatedly emphasized that he did not know Whitaker, whom he had tapped on Wednesday to lead the Justice Department on a temporary basis after forcing Attorney General Jeff Sessions out of the job. "Matt Whitaker - I don’t know Matt Whitaker," Trump said. After Trump named Whitaker acting attorney general, a Justice Department spokeswoman said he would oversee all matters under the department's jurisdiction, including the Russia investigation being led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Mueller is probing both Russia's interference and whether Trump's presidential campaign may have colluded with Moscow. Whitaker has publicly criticized the investigation as being too broad, and Democrats have called on him to recuse himself, saying his appointment this week appeared to be an effort by Trump to impede the investigation. "No matter who I put in, they go after him," Trump said. "He's a highly respected man, especially by law enforcement, and I think he's going to do a great job." US intelligence agencies have said Russia interfered in the election in an attempt to tip it towards Trump and away from his Democratic opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Russia has denied interfering, and Trump has repeatedly said there was no collusion between his campaign and Moscow. "I didn’t speak to Matt Whitaker about it," Trump said of the Russia probe, adding he did not rule out sitting down for an interview with Mueller. "I haven't ruled out anything," he said. "I haven't even thought about it."

Trump says he did not discuss Russia probe with acting attorney general

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US envoy warns NATO allies to prepare for possible Russian attack amid intelligence report

US official overseeing Russia collusion probe to leave: Reports

Trump says he did not discuss Russia probe with acting attorney general