Russia could be ready to launch an attack on a NATO member state by 2029, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned, stressing that even if the war in Ukraine ended, Russia would remain “an imperialist and aggressive country with ambitions that reach far beyond”.
Wadephul said that Russia is “at the very least giving itself the option of a war against NATO by 2029 at the latest”, citing security-service sources during his speech at today’s Foreign Policy Forum in Berlin.
Russia has reshaped its economy
The minister noted that Russia has largely reshaped its economy and society around the war and is recruiting more soldiers than it currently needs for the conflict in Ukraine.
He said these additional forces are likely intended for a future confrontation with the European Union and NATO. He added that the threat from Russia is no longer a distant concern but “already a reality”, pointing to ongoing hybrid-warfare tactics such as sabotage and disinformation campaigns.
“Peace depends solely on Putin”
On the sidelines of the Forum, Wadephul met with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi. After the meeting, he said that intensive diplomatic efforts are under way to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine and emphasised that responsibility lies with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Peace depends solely on Putin. He started the war and he must now end it. If he wants peace, he must finally show the will to negotiate. We – Ukraine, Europe and the United States – are ready. Now Putin must decide,” the German Foreign Minister said.
Wadephul also noted that EU foreign ministers will hold an informal council on the issue tomorrow.
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