German Army Commander Lieutenant General Christian Freuding said that Russia could be ready to attack a NATO ally by 2029. Freuding noted that this date is not just Germany's assessment but is based on NATO's joint intelligence.
He warned that the threat could arise even earlier. The commander stressed that the German army needs to close current readiness gaps and that the capacity to be "ready for war today" must be improved every day.
Growing Concerns on the NATO Front
Freuding's remarks are the latest in a series of warnings from European and Western defense officials about the threat posed by Russia. Recently, many officials have expressed the view that despite Russia's losses in the Ukraine war, it is rebuilding its military capacity near border regions.
This assessment aligns with an investigation published on June 10 by Denmark's public broadcaster and some media outlets, which reported that Russia has increased its military presence near Finland, Norway, and the Baltic states. The report also included similar warnings from northern intelligence chiefs and senior military officials.
Satellite images published on June 11 in a UK-based newspaper also pointed to Russian military facilities near NATO borders. Despite increased defense spending in Europe, officials remain divided over whether the continent is sufficiently prepared for a possible Russian attack.
Europe's Debate on Preparedness Intensifies
The European Commission's proposal to increase defense spending fivefold in the upcoming seven-year budget has brought security discussions in the continent to the forefront. However, there is no consensus on how much resource allocation will be sufficient against Russia's battle-hardened army.
On the same day, UK Defense Secretary John Healey resigned, criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government for failing to provide the necessary resources to strengthen defense. This development highlighted growing pressure on security and defense budgets in European capitals.
With the potential start of Donald Trump's second presidential term in the US, questions about how NATO would respond to a possible Russian attack have resurfaced. Some European officials worry whether Washington would intervene even if a member country triggers Article 5.
It was previously reported that Washington is considering withdrawing troops from some NATO countries that do not support US-Israel war efforts. These discussions have made deterrence and solidarity within the alliance even more critical.
Critical Chokepoint on the Eastern Flank
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said in mid-May that Russia could launch attacks on neighboring NATO members using Belarusian territory. The Suwalki Corridor, located between Poland and Lithuania, has long been seen as one of NATO's weakest links on its eastern flank.
Russia's military activity near its western border has reignited debates within NATO about preparation time. Freuding's statements are among the latest messages increasing pressure for Europe to accelerate its defense planning.
