German FM: Russia's plans are not limited to Ukraine alone

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul believes that Russia's plans may extend beyond the war against Ukraine and affect other former Soviet countries, including the Baltic states. He said this in the program Pinar Atalay on the German television channel ntv.

According to Wadephul, before the full-scale invasion Russia did not face a military threat from Ukraine and maintained economic ties with European countries, including Germany. Therefore, the minister believes, Moscow's actions indicate broader goals.

“So we must assume that Russia has more far-reaching plans,” — said the head of the German Foreign Ministry.

Wadephul linked his assessment to Vladimir Putin's statements about the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the German minister's opinion, potential Russian claims may concern not only Ukraine, but also Georgia, Moldova and the Baltic states. Moreover, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are members of the EU and NATO, so possible aggression against them would directly affect Germany as an ally.

The minister stressed that Germany's obligations under NATO extend not only to its own territory. If an attack on Poland, Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania is established, Berlin will regard it as an attack on an ally and fulfill its obligations within the Alliance.

According to Wadephul, Germany is already facing Russian hybrid attacks, including cyberattacks and drone incidents. He referred, in particular, to the August incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The German government links it to Russia, Moscow denies involvement.

The day before, a similar warning came from the leadership of German intelligence services. The head of the Federal Intelligence Service, Martin Jäger, said at hearings in the Bundestag that currently no other country poses such a concrete threat to Germany as Russia, and warned of the risk of the confrontation escalating into an armed conflict.

Source: ZDF