"We are threatened by Russia." This has been the biggest fear of Germans since 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The German military recently took all measures for a massive increase in investment after Parliament voted to exempt defense spending, exceeding even strict defense spending rules, writes A2.
Senior German General Carsten Breuer told the British broadcaster BBC that the increase in money is urgently needed because he believes Russian aggression will not stop in Ukraine: "We are threatened by Russia. We are threatened by Putin. We must do everything necessary to prevent it."
He warns that NATO must prepare for a possible attack within four years: "It's not about how much time we need, it's much more about how much time Putin gives us to prepare. And the sooner we are prepared, the better."
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has profoundly changed thinking in Germany. For decades, people have been raised on a rejection of military power, aware of Germany’s past role as an aggressor in Europe. When it comes to Russia, Germany has had a specific approach. While countries like Poland and the Baltic states warned against getting too close to Moscow and increased their defense spending, Berlin under former Chancellor Angela Merkel believed in doing business. Russia took the money and invaded Ukraine anyway.
The defense chief's scathing assessment of the current state of his forces echoes a recent report to parliament. The Bundeswehr, he concluded, had "very little of everything." A recent YouGov poll showed that 79 percent of Germans still see Vladimir Putin as "very" or "quite" dangerous to European peace and security. Now 74 percent said the same about Donald Trump. The poll followed a speech in Munich in which his vice president, JD Vance, spoke about Europe and its values.
What does not support the general mobilization of Germany is the political opposition. "The Bundeswehr does not need 18-year-olds who can barely hold an assault rifle. In the 21st century, it needs highly specialized forces," which is why the German army must be made more attractive, emphasizes Philipp Türmer, chairman of the Young Socialists in the SPD. (A2 Televizion)
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