The head of the German Defense Ministry, Boris Pistorius, warns the country's citizens about the need to prepare for decades of confrontation with Russia.
Germany expects decades of confrontation with Russia
Pistorius is convinced that Germany must quickly restore its armed forces, because Kremlin dictator and war criminal Vladimir Putin will not stop at Ukraine.
At the same time, in his latest statements, Pistorius repeatedly emphasized that the army of the Russian Federation is stuck in the war against Ukraine, but in the event of a cessation of hostilities, the Kremlin will need only a few years to restore its military potential.
The head of the German Defense Ministry says that then Putin can try to test the unity of NATO countries.
Mr Pistorius's public warnings reflect a major change at the top level of leadership in a country that has eschewed a strong military since the end of the Cold War. The alarm is becoming louder, but the German public is still not convinced that the new aggressive Russia threatens the security of Germany and Europe, — the publication says.
The publication indicates that currently, the vast majority of German politicians consider it impossible to restore normal relations with Russia.
German politicians are also afraid of the consequences if Putin wins the war against Ukraine.
If Ukraine were forced to surrender, it would not satisfy Russia's thirst for power. If the West does not demonstrate a clear readiness to defend, Putin will have no reason not to attack NATO again, — says the head of German intelligence, Bruno Kahl.
The authors of the material emphasize that the threat of direct confrontation with Russia causes tension among German politicians.
The publication explains that this tension is caused by the German habit of thinking that the country's security can be ensured through cooperation, not confrontation, with Russia.
That is why Chancellor Olaf Scholz avoids public statements on this topic.
As an example of this caution, the publication cites Sholtz's reluctance to give a clear timetable for Ukraine's accession to NATO and to transfer Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Scholz always said that "Ukraine must not lose and Russia must not win," which indicated that he was always thinking about the impasse that would lead to a diplomatic process. He considers Russia more important than all the countries between us and them, and he lacks a sense of Europeanness and his possible role as a European leader, — explains the situation, an expert on international politics, Norbert Rettgen.
What Ukraine thinks
According to the Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany Andrii Melnyk, interview for N-TV, Western partners, in particular, Berlin, must understand that the Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin will not stop at Ukraine, because he seeks to destroy the Western democratic world.
It is important for me that the West understands what kind of war this is. It is not only about Ukraine's right to exist. Putin wants to destroy the Western model of democracy, freedom and human rights. This is his main goal. This means, especially for the Germans, that much more needs to be done to stop Russia. It has a military dimension, but not only that. We are grateful to Berlin for its solid contribution and we are happy about Germany's growing role as a leader, Melnyk says.
He noted that much more needs to be done to put Putin in his place and put an end to the armed aggression of the Russian army.
He noted that Germany took the side of Ukraine and thereby made a historic choice, but now there should be no restraint.
Melnyk expressed his belief that the German authorities should approve the supply of Taurus missiles and Eurofighter Typhoon and Tornado fighters to Ukraine, as well as other weapons.
Military and financial assistance for the defense and liberation of Ukraine should become part of the meaning of existence. This year, the German government is supporting us with 7 billion euros for armaments. It's really impressive. But, unfortunately, this is still not enough to keep up with the Russian military machine, — notes the ambassador of Ukraine and Germany.
He stated that it is necessary to give Ukraine 1% of the economic production of the EU, which will amount to about 160 billion euros per year.
This is a huge amount of money that our allies should generate first of all, we understand that. But if we don't do it today, Putin may have more power. Therefore, I would like to appeal to German society and the German government to maintain its leading role in the EU and to undertake a large-scale commitment to ensure the contribution of Europeans to the amount of one percent of GDP. Especially in light of the events in the USA, Melnyk notes.
