German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that Russia’s ambitions could extend beyond its war with Ukraine to include other countries, stressing that Germany would regard any violation of the borders of its NATO allies as an attack on itself, even if its own territory were not directly attacked.
Wadephul suggests broader Russian plans
In an interview with broadcaster NTV, Wadephul said Russia had enjoyed good relations with Ukraine before the war and faced no threat, while also benefiting from favourable supply agreements with countries including Germany. He added: “For this reason, we have to assume that Moscow has broader plans.”
When asked what those plans referred to, the German minister cited previous statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who described the collapse of the Soviet Union as “the greatest catastrophe of the 20th century”. Wadephul said: “If that was the greatest catastrophe, he presumably wants to reverse its course.” He explained that, in his assessment, the ambitions he was referring to were not limited to Ukraine but also extended to Georgia, Moldova and the Baltic states.
He added that Germany would be affected by these possibilities as an ally, given the Baltic states’ membership of both the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or NATO. Wadephul stressed that Berlin would not consider itself under attack only if its own territory were targeted, but also if the borders of NATO-allied countries were violated.
Berlin monitors hybrid attacks and explosive drones
In this context, he named Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as countries covered by this commitment. The minister said Germany was already facing what he described as “hybrid attacks”, referring to drone-related incidents in the city of Leipzig, as well as earlier cyberattacks.
In August, a drone carrying explosives was found among Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The German government holds Russia responsible for the incident, while Moscow denies any responsibility.
