US intelligence issues warning as Putin could attack NATO country within weeks

US officials have warned that Russia may carry out an attack on a NATO country as soon as this fall in a bid to test the alliance’s resolve.

The warning comes following the release of new US intelligence reports.

The pending attack could be a cyber attack or a 'a small-scale land incursion', Wall Street Journal says.

The reports have forecast that the attack may be carried out sometime between this fall and 2029.

The reason why Russia allegedly wants to launch an assault on an NATO country is to seemingly force America's hand and see how it would react amid the US's strained relationship with NATO.

Heather Conley, senior fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, said: "The question mark is how the United States would respond in that case."

She added: "It has always been a goal [of Russia’s] to challenge the credibility of NATO and to separate the United States from its allies."

Reportedly Russia plans on carrying out an attack on a NATO country (Alexander KAZAKOV / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Earlier this year Donald Trump threatened to leave the alliance after almost 80 years.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he described NATO as a 'paper tiger' – something which Vladimir Putin supposedly knows as well.

While the US's ties to NATO aren't what they once were, the UK's new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband insisted that Britain and America are still 'the closest of allies'.

He said in a statement following a recent meeting with Marco Rubio on Wednesday: "The UK and US are the closest of allies, bound by culture, history and interests, including our shared commitment as NATO allies.

"We discussed the vital importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which is essential to protecting British families and businesses on the cost of living, this Government’s number one priority."

Miliband added: "We also discussed standing together with Ukraine in the face of Putin’s war, and spoke about the intolerable situation in Gaza and the urgent need to address the humanitarian situation there, as we work towards a lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis."

Ed Miliband insisted that the UK and US are still 'the closest of allies' (Mehmet Eser/Anadolu via Getty Images)

While the UK are trying to stay friends with the US, it will have ruffled Russia's feathers with yet more sanctions to demonstrate its unwavering support for Ukraine.

Russian banks, shadow fleet ships and shady businesses have been slapped with UK sanctions for their role in Russia’s ongoing attack on Kyiv.

The package targets individuals and businesses enabling Russia’s war in Ukraine, further constraining the networks and revenue streams on which the Kremlin relies.

This marks Miliband's first major sanctions package since becoming Foreign Secretary as part of Andy Burnham's cabinet.