NATO countries to build bunkers along Putin's border, while Europe warned of increasing weapons stockpiles to 'war levels'

THREE NATO countries will build bunkers along the border with Russia as fears of World War III continue to grow.

Europe has also been warned to increase weapons stockpiles to “war levels” in preparation for an impending battle against the country Vladimir Putin.

Three NATO countries will build bunkers similar to those in Ukraine on their own borders with RussiaCredit: Getty

The decision was taken as fears of Vladimir Putin's invasion continue to grow in other European countriesCredit: AP

Estonia plans to build 600 bunkers around the border crossings of Narva in the north and Voru in the south

As a result of the massacre caused by the Russian From the president invasion of two years by Ukrainethe Ministers of Defense of Latvia, Lithuania And Estonia have agreed to take action to prevent a similar fate.

The trio of Baltic countries will build an “extensive network of fortifications” along their borders with Russia to deter Putin from invading their countries.

It is thought the total cost of the project will be €60 million (£51.2 million).

Construction will begin in Estonia, where the government plans about 600 bunkers, grouped around the border crossings of Narva in the north and Voru in the south. Newsweek report.

Susan Lilleväli of the Estonian Defense Ministry said the overall intention is to ensure readiness “to fight the enemy from the first meter and the first hour.”

“The war in Ukraine has shown that taking back already conquered territories is extremely difficult and entails high costs in human lives, time and material resources,” she said.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have long been considered the most likely Russian targets for Putin if he were to attack NATO to land.

While Ukraine has managed to cope with the Moscow After years of attack, it is likely that the three small Baltic states will be overrun within days.

“These installations primarily serve the purpose of avoiding military conflict in our region, as they could potentially change the enemy's analysis,” Lilleväli added.

“Countermobility and reinforcement measures have historically played an important role in wars in our region, for example in Finlandand as the war in Ukraine has shown, they are perfectly valid in this century.”

NATO sends warplanes to Poland as Putin launches one of the largest war attacks on Ukraine

Should Putin attack the three NATO countries, the defense treaty allies would be forced into military action with the Soviet state – including the Britain And US.

NATO's secretary general has since warned Europe to increase weapons production to counter the threat from Russia.

Jens Stoltenberg said: “We must rebuild and expand our industrial base” to increase supplies to Ukraine and replenish weapons stockpiles.

The NATO chief claims the 31-member treaty does not envisage war with Russia, but pointed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine as evidence that “peace in Europe cannot be taken for granted.”

“If Putin wins in Ukraine, there is no guarantee that Russian aggression will not spread further,” he told Germany Welt am Sonntag.

“Supporting Ukraine now and investing in NATO's own capabilities is our best defense.”

But the fear of Third World War were stepped up even further following stunning threats from the former US president Donald Trump towards fellow NATO members.

The US politician said he would let Russia do “anything they want” against alliance members who do not pay enough for defense during a meeting in South Carolina on Saturday.

NATO immediately intervened, criticizing Trump for “endangering American and European soldiers.”

“NATO remains ready and able to defend all allies,” they said angrily. “Any attack on NATO will be met with a united and strong response.

“Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all our security, including that of the United States, and puts American and European soldiers in greater danger.”

Trump's comments are likely to heighten fears in Europe that the US will withdraw military aid to Ukraine if he is re-elected later this year.

The former president has also long criticized NATO, threatening to withdraw the US from the alliance, with one of his campaign commitments to “fundamentally” reevaluate “NATO's purpose and mission.”

But NATO expects the US will remain a strong and committed NATO ally “regardless of who wins the presidential election.”

The White House called Trump's comments “appalling and unhinged.”

“Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes endangers America's national security, global stability, and our economy at home,” spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement Saturday.

“Rather than calling for wars and promoting deranged chaos, President Biden will continue to strengthen American leadership and stand up for our national security interests – not against them.”