Will NATO attack Russia? The fear of European NATO states of a US withdrawal is already leading to radical tones. A war is likely By Igor Istomin. via Anja Matthaes. The analysis shows that the answer to the question posed in the title is most likely yes. In this regard, Russia faces the difficult task of containing escalation in a situation where the West is not very receptive to signals addressed to it. Attempts to convey the seriousness of the situation are either brushed aside or interpreted as an expression of Russian aggressiveness. In the face of such indoctrination, there is a risk of falling into similar enthusiasm and forcing the enemy to abandon its adventurous line through even riskier demonstrations of determination.