Russia Could Attack NATO Territory Within Coming Years, German Defense Minister Warns

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius raised the alarm that Russia could be capable of launching an attack on NATO territory within the next few years, German media Deutsche Welle reported on December 22.

“If we ignore this threat simply because it makes us uncomfortable, it will not diminish but only grow,” Pistorius warned.

Currently, Pistorius stated, there are no indications of an imminent Russian attack on NATO. However, he pointed out that Vladimir Putin systematically restructured Russia’s economy to support his war efforts. “Russia now produces more weapons and ammunition in a few months than all EU countries combined in a year,” he emphasized.

“By 2029 or 2030, Putin may have strengthened his military to a point where Russia could strike NATO,” Pistorius cautioned. “We must be prepared for the possibility that in the coming years, Putin could test NATO's unity by targeting a specific area of its territory.”

Pistorius also underscored the hybrid threats posed by Russia, particularly targeting Germany.

“Putin operates in hybrid ways, and Germany is under his especially sharp scrutiny. He knows us well and understands where and how to inflict painful blows. We must prepare to confidently counter this threat. Ignoring it will only magnify its scale,” the minister warned.

The risks include attacks on critical infrastructure and energy supplies, increased activity in the North and Baltic Seas, and violations of airspace regulations.

“This extends to social media campaigns, interference in elections, and financial support for parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD) or the Alliance of Sarah Wagenknecht, which claim Germany is not defending its interests and is pursuing a course of war with Russia,” Pistorius added.

He stressed that these actions are part of Putin’s strategy to destabilize and divide German society. “We must do everything to ensure Putin’s strategy fails,” Pistorius added.

When asked about the readiness of Germany’s armed forces, Pistorius noted, “We are on the right track.” He highlighted that in 2024 alone, 97 major projects worth $60.4 billion (€58 billion) had been approved, surpassing last year’s record figures.

However, Pistorius acknowledged the challenges, saying, “We have transferred a significant amount of military equipment to Ukraine, and the industry needs time to ramp up production capacities for weapons and ammunition.”

He explained that delivery times for military hardware remain a challenge, with Leopard tanks taking up to 2 and a half years to produce, while frigates and submarines require 6 to 8 years.

“These timelines clearly show that bridging the gaps formed over the last 30 years is not possible within a single legislative term,” Pistorius concluded.

Earlier, Germany delivered its sixth IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine on December 20 as part of its military aid.