Germany bans military personnel from participating in events with Russians

The German Defense Ministry has implemented a ban on its military personnel from participating in events organized by the International Council of Military Sports (CISM) if representatives from Russia and Belarus are present.

This decision follows recent controversies surrounding images that allegedly showed German and Russian military personnel together, Caliber.Az reports, citing German media.

According to the report, CISM has not excluded Russia from its membership, allowing the country’s representatives to compete in its events. The ministry's ban comes after the emergence of these photos, prompting immediate action from German officials.

A spokesperson for the German Defense Ministry stated that discussions were held with responsible leaders following the incident. 

"An explanatory work was carried out with the Bundeswehr military personnel involved in the CISM competition. It was made clear that such photos are unacceptable,” the spokesperson emphasized.

The situation escalated further as German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks regarding changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine. Pistorius deemed it unnecessary to comment on the issue, asserting that Putin's decisions would not impact Germany's foreign policy.

This ban reflects Germany's ongoing stance against Russia amid heightened tensions resulting from the conflict in Ukraine and broader geopolitical concerns. The decision underscores the military's commitment to maintaining a clear separation from Russian forces in international contexts.

By Khagan Isayev