German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has warned that Russia could possibly attack a NATO country within the next four years. “Our intelligence agencies immediately told us that Russia was at least creating a war option against NATO by 2029,” Wadephul told the Berlin Foreign Policy Forum.
Russian Ambitions
The German Foreign Minister argued that Russia’s “imperial” ambitions go far beyond Ukraine, as Moscow has significantly expanded its military capabilities and increased arms production in recent years. “Russia has largely steered its economy and society toward war.
“At the same time, they are recruiting more soldiers than is currently needed,” Wadephul said, adding that almost one more division is being recruited every month. “These divisions, no doubt, have set their sights on us, on the European Union, on NATO. The Russian threat to our country is no longer a worry; this is already a reality,” he added. Wadephul also accused Moscow of using hybrid warfare tactics against NATO allies, including airspace violations, sabotage and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing those countries.
The new German army
Therefore, in recent days it has been in the news that Germany is trying to build “the strongest army in Europe”. It’s an effort led by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a difficult task for a country whose army has been neglected for years but the government hopes that new legislation agreed to in recent days will help make the effort a reality. Berlin will seek to increase the size of its army to 260,000, up from the current 180,000, plus 200,000 reservists, by 2035. An initiative that would first focus on voluntary military enlistment, with greater incentives for those who enlist, including a starting monthly salary of 2,600 euros, an increase of 450 euros compared to the current salary. If the expected quota is not reached, the government has the possibility to make a mandatory call. Starting next year, all 18-year-olds will receive a questionnaire about their interest in serving. For men, compilation will be mandatory and, from 2027, medical examinations will also be mandatory. A bill that has not yet been approved by Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, and lawmakers is expected to be voted on later this year. In this case it will come into effect on January 1, 2026.
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