Germany sounds alarm over possible Russian strike on NATO territory

Germany has issued a stark warning that Russia could be capable of launching a large-scale attack on NATO territory, underscoring the need for enhanced military readiness within the alliance.

“I do not want to speculate on how great the danger is that Russian President Vladimir Putin would use a ceasefire to put himself in a position to attack NATO territory even more quickly. I can only advise us to prepare ourselves for the possibility that this could happen,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said, Caliber.Az reports, citing German media.

Wadephul emphasized that Germany must build up its security structures within NATO and restructure the German Armed Forces in terms of personnel and equipment to ensure an army fully capable of defending both the country and the alliance.

The foreign minister called for intensified efforts to strengthen German and NATO military capabilities in light of the potential Russian threat.

“There is no reason for us to reduce our efforts. Quite the contrary. I can only strongly advise against making any compromises in all these projects and plans, because only a position of strength will lead to greater security for us in NATO and also for us in Germany,” Wadephul said.

He further warned that if the Russian army were to achieve lasting military success in Ukraine, “this would pose a serious threat to NATO.” Supporting Ukraine, he noted, aligns directly with Germany’s own security interests.

“The more stable the peace situation in Ukraine is, the sooner Ukraine will be able to protect its own interests, and the better it will be for Europe as a whole,” Wadephul added.

Wadephul’s remarks follow warnings from Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who in mid-November stated that Russia could attack a NATO member state in the east once it has rebuilt its armed forces. “We have always said that this could be the case from 2029,” Pistorius said.

Additionally, Germany’s top operational commander, Lt. Gen. Alexander Sollfrank, unveiled “Operation Plan Germany” last month. The plan, aligned with NATO’s regional strategy, outlines how up to 800,000 allied troops could be mobilized through Germany within 180 days to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank in the event of an imminent conflict.

Germany’s leadership stressed that only a unified and well-prepared NATO, with robust national defence capabilities, can deter potential Russian aggression and safeguard European security.

By Vafa Guliyeva